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.
Watch NASA’s broadcast of the Starliner spacecraft
Follow LIVE the launch of Starliner in its first manned flight test
NASA channel on YouTube in the final stage of transmission
With this image, NASA is completing the transmission of the failed takeoff of the Starliner spacecraft. Photo: NASA
NASA astronauts leave Starliner spacecraft
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams leave the facility near the Starliner spacecraft. Photo: NASA Live
Astronauts prepare to exit the Starliner spacecraft
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams prepare to exit the Starliner spacecraft due to the cancellation of the mission due to oxygen supply. Photo: NASA
The ULA company announces the cancellation of tonight’s flight
The United Launch Alliance company, through its “X” account, announced the cancellation of the Starliner flight.
Takeoff of the Starliner ship is canceled
The United Launch Alliance company announced that the takeoff of the Starliner ship was canceled. Photo: X
ULA members close the aircraft door
The members of the United Launch Alliance company will close the door of the Starliner aircraft. Photo: NASA
A takeoff with history in Florida
Tonight’s liftoff will mark the first time since the launch of the Apollo Program that a crewed mission leaves Earth from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
There are just over two hours left until the launch of the Starliner spacecraft
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are inside the Starliner spacecraft with just over two hours left before takeoff.
NASA astronauts arrive at the Starliner spacecraft and prepare for launch
Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are inside the Starliner ship.
Image of the Starliner spacecraft at night
The Florida night sky focuses on the Starliner spacecraft from the Crew Flight test mission. Capture: NASA Live
Astronauts enter the Starliner spacecraft
Astronaut Butch Wilmore was the first astronaut to enter the Starliner spacecraft as part of the Crew Flight test mission. Video: NASA
Butch Wilmore is inside the Starliner ship
Astronaut Butch Wilmore is already inside the Starliner spacecraft for the Crew Flight test mission. Photo: NASA
Astronauts prepare everything for the Crew Flight test mission
Astronaut Butch Wilmore prepares for the Crew Flight test mission aboard the Starliner spacecraft. In images, he talks with United Launch Alliance (ULA) staff.
The astronauts arrive
Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore arrived at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida for the mission commissioned by NASA.
Mission car carrying mission astronauts escorted
Police personnel in Florida escort the vans carrying the astronauts from the Starliner aircraft on the mission commissioned by NASA.
Media in advance of the launch of the Starliner capsule
Photographers, reporters and the media in general are outside the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, in Florida, to cover the launch of the Starliner spacecraft.
Meet the astronauts who will be at the launch of the Starliner capsule
Suni Williams: captain, test pilot and instructor with three thousand flight hours in 30 different aircraft. She became an astronaut in 1998 with 322 days in space, seven spacewalks and 50 hours of spacewalk.
Meet the astronauts who will be at the launch of the Starliner capsule
Commander Butch Wilmore: captain with 8 thousand flight hours and 663 landings on aircraft carriers. Astronaut since July 2000. He has 178 days in space and 4 spacewalks.
Starliner launch is instant
Today’s Starliner capsule launch is an instantaneous launch, meaning the rocket must launch at a precise time to smoothly enter space.
What happened in the previous tests of the Starliner capsule?
There was no one aboard the two previous test flights of Boeing’s Starliner. The first flight in 2019 suffered software problems causing the capsule to not reach the station.
Photo: NASA
Who are the astronauts aboard the Starliner capsule?
The astronauts in charge of the mission commissioned by NASA are Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Suni Williams, both retired Navy captains.
Photo: NASA
NASA astronauts prepare to be transferred to the ship
Everything is getting ready to start the mission.
Photo: NASA
What is the arrival point of Starliner?
Starliner will arrive at the forward port of the station’s Harmony module at 12:46 a.m. on Wednesday, May 8. Photo: NASA/Boeing
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.
The capsule has the capacity to transport up to seven astronauts inside. Photo: United Launch Alliance
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.
