After encountering numerous delays due to safety concerns, Boeing is once again poised for its first astronaut launch, marking the third attempt for NASA test pilots Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams aboard the Starliner capsule. Previous launch attempts were hindered by rocket-related issues, prompting anticipation for a successful liftoff this time around.
Scheduled to test Starliner’s systems en route to the International Space Station (ISS), Wilmore and Williams are prepared for a journey that will span at least a week before aiming for a touchdown in the western United States.
NASA enlisted the services of Boeing and SpaceX following the retirement of the space shuttles, with the objective of ferrying astronauts to and from the ISS. SpaceX has been successfully executing these missions since 2020, while Boeing’s endeavors have been beset by setbacks.
Boeing’s Starliner completed an unmanned test flight in 2019; however, the mission was curtailed due to software glitches. Despite a more favorable outcome during a subsequent test flight in 2022, issues with parachutes and other components emerged, prolonging the capsule’s path to crewed missions.
In the lead-up to Saturday’s anticipated liftoff, a malfunctioning computer power unit necessitated a last-minute replacement by rocket manufacturer United Launch Alliance. Furthermore, an internal valve malfunction within the Atlas V rocket forced the postponement of the launch attempt in early May.
As Boeing perseveres through these challenges, all eyes are on the upcoming launch, with hopes high for a smooth journey to the ISS and a successful return to Earth, marking a significant milestone for Boeing’s astronaut transportation ambitions.