After numerous delays, Boeing's Starliner capsule has successfully launched into space.
Boeing’s Starliner space capsule, after enduring numerous delays, has successfully lifted off from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The spacecraft, carrying two NASA astronauts, reached orbit approximately twelve minutes after launch.
The crew will spend the next 25 hours racing to catch up with the International Space Station (ISS). This critical mission involves a series of precise maneuvers to ensure a safe and successful docking with the ISS, marking a significant milestone in Boeing’s spaceflight efforts and enhancing the capabilities of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
The mission represents the first instance of a commercially-built capsule transporting humans. The docking with the station is scheduled for Thursday at approximately 12:15 p.m. ET. Astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams are serving as the mission commander and pilot, respectively.
It was the third launch attempt of the Starliner. On Saturday, the countdown was halted with less than four minutes remaining due to an issue with the flight computers that control the launch. The launch provider, ULA, replaced a power supply in the system and cleared it for Wednesday's launch. The previous launch attempt last month was called off because of a malfunctioning valve on the Atlas V rocket’s upper stage, Centaur.
During the troubleshooting process, Boeing came across another hiccup: a helium leak within the Starliner's propulsion system. Helium is integral to the functionality of the propulsion system. However, following a thorough examination of the data, NASA expressed confidence in Boeing's ability to rectify the issue and proceed with the mission successfully.