Boeing Starliner: ready for a new mission to the International Space Station

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Why the Boeing Starliner spacecraft is ready for a new mission

Space shuttle "Boeing CST Starliner" in Earth orbit. It is a reusable spacecraft developed by Boeing for commercial spaceflight. It can carry up to seven people and is designed to deliver astronauts to the International Space Station.

After years of delays and setbacks, the Boeing Starliner spacecraft is finally ready for its first crewed flight to the International Space Station (ISS). The spacecraft, designed to ferry astronauts to and from the ISS, is scheduled to launch on May 6, 2024, with veteran NASA astronauts  Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on board.

The upcoming mission, known as CFT (Crew Flight Test), is a crucial test flight for the Starliner. If the mission is successful, it will pave the way for regular crewed flights to the ISS.

What are the objectives of the mission?

The main objectives of the CFT mission are:

Demonstrate the Starliner's ability to safely transport astronauts to and from the ISS

Evaluate the performance of the spacecraft in orbit

Work out docking and undocking procedures with the ISS

The mission is also expected to collect data on spacecraft systems and crew conditions. This data will be used to further improve the Starliner and prepare it for operational missions.

When will the mission start?

The CFT mission is currently scheduled to launch on May 6, 2024, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The launch will take place on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.

Who are the astronauts on the mission?

Two astronauts of the CFT mission:

Butch Wilmore: A veteran NASA astronaut with two previous space shuttle missions.

Suni Williams: A veteran NASA astronaut with two previous missions on the space station.

Wilmore will be the mission commander and Williams will be the pilot. Both astronauts have extensive experience in spaceflight and are well qualified for this critical mission.

What's next for Starliner?

If the CFT mission is successful, Boeing will be one step closer to achieving its goal of providing NASA with a second commercial crew transportation system to the ISS. The company expects to start regular crew flights to the ISS in late 2024 or early 2025.

The successful completion of the CFT mission will be an important milestone for Boeing and NASA. This will be the culmination of years of hard work and dedication by both organizations. It will also open new opportunities for space exploration and pave the way for future missions to the Moon and Mars.

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