The first crewed Starliner flight has been postponed since February 2023. Photo: compositionLR/NASA
Today, May 6, 2024, the Starliner spacecraft—after years of preparation—will take off into space with two NASA astronauts, in its first manned flight test. The Boeing aerospace company’s vehicle has the objective of making transfers to and from the International Space Station (ISS), for which it requires ensuring its correct functioning.
Previously, Starliner has already made two trips to the ISS. The first, in 2019, failed to reach its destination due to technical problems. As for the second, it was delayed until 2022, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Subsequently, the first flight with astronauts has been postponed several times, until it will finally take place tonight.
Takeoff is scheduled for 10:34 (Florida time) from the Cape Canaveral Space Station and the POT will do a live broadcast. Here we present all the details of the historic moment for space exploration.
The capsule has the capacity to transport up to seven astronauts inside. Photo: United Launch Alliance
Follow LIVE the launch of Starliner in its first manned flight test
How long is Boeing’s Starliner capsule?
Boeing’s Starliner capsule has a diameter of approximately 4.56 meters. It has the capacity to transport up to seven astronauts or a combination of crew and cargo.
Photo: Kim Shiflett/NASA
What is the goal of the Starliner flight test?
If all goes as planned with today’s Crew Flight Test mission, Starliner could carry out its first six-month crewed mission to the International Space Station in early 2025.
What time will the Starliner launch be?
According to NASA, the Starliner launch is scheduled for today, Monday, May 6, at 9:34 pm (Peru time) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
What time does the NASA broadcast start?
The NASA broadcast of the Starliner launch begins at 5:30 (Peru time) and you can tune in from its official YouTube channel, NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA application for Android and the website of the US space agency.
A historic moment
During an official press conference, last Friday, May 3, the head of NASA Bill Nelson He highlighted that the Starliner flight, called the Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission, will be the sixth manned test flight carried out in history.
“So, think about it: The first time (NASA astronauts) flew in a new spacecraft it started with Mercury, then Gemini, then Apollo, then the space shuttle, then Dragon and now Starliner,” Nelson said . “So it’s a historic day, it’s a wonderful day.”
Astronauts aboard Starliner will be commander Barry Wilmore and the pilot Suni Williams. Both have participated in multiple NASA missions and are former United States Navy test pilots to the ISS.
What is the Starliner ship like?
The Starliner spacecraft is a reusable space capsule designed and built by Boeing for NASA, as part of the commercial crew program from the agency. Also known as CST-100 Starliner, it is intended to transport astronauts and cargo to the International Space Station and other low orbits.
The capsule has a diameter of approximately 4.56 meters. Photo: BoeingSpace/X
Starliner has been designed to be launched from several launch vehicles, including United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V from which it will be launched for this occasion. Likewise, it can dock autonomously to the ISS and remain in orbit for several days before returning to Earth, where it lands by parachute on solid ground.
According to NASA, the ship is equipped with modern technology and advanced safety systems to ensure the safety of the crew during all phases of the mission.
