Boeing's Starliner Astronaut Mission: A Critical Test Flight

Launch Preparations Underway

Boeing is poised to launch its first-ever Starliner astronaut mission for NASA on a critical test flight to demonstrate its capabilities and earn certification for human spaceflight. The launch of the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket and Boeing Starliner spacecraft is targeted for 10:52 AM EST on a historic mission dubbed the Crew Flight Test.

Starliner: A Collaboration with NASA

Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft is being developed in partnership with NASA's Commercial Crew Program. It is designed to transport astronauts and cargo to and from the International Space Station (ISS) as part of NASA's efforts to enable a new era of commercial spaceflight.

Historic Maiden Voyage

Boeing's Starliner made a historic maiden voyage in 2019, carrying veteran NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken on a successful mission to the ISS. The spacecraft docked with the station, demonstrating its capabilities and marking a significant milestone in the development of commercial crew transportation.

Future Missions and Collaboration

Boeing is contracted with NASA to launch Starliner six times to the ISS after this test mission, each time carrying a crew of up to four astronauts. The spacecraft is designed to provide a safe, efficient, and cost-effective means of transporting astronauts and cargo to and from the ISS, supporting ongoing research and exploration.