NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams became the first humans to be launched into orbit aboard the Boeing Starliner, taking off from the Cape Canaveral Space Force base at 10:52 a.m. to the International Space Station. They started a 25-hour flight to (UUU). The launch marks the beginning of the NASA-Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test (CFT).
Boeing Defense, Space and Security President and CEO Ted Colbert said in his statement: “With this crewed flight test, astronauts Wilmore and Williams flew Boeing’s Starliner.” ± In addition to what they experienced during the journey to the International Space Station, it represents the beginning of a new era in space research. This is a great start. “We are very excited and happy to deliver the astronauts safely to the space station and their homes,” he said.
Wilmore and Williams are also the first people launched on an Atlas V rocket and are currently experiencing microgravity on their flight to the space station. Astronauts will perform a series of flight tests, including flying the Starliner by hand.
The Starliner carries approximately 760 pounds (345 kilograms) of cargo as well as two crew members. After docking with the UAV, Wilmore and Williams will spend about a week on the station before returning to Earth. Following a successful Crewed Flight Test, Boeing and NASA will continue to work to certify the Starliner for long-duration operational missions.
