Boeing's Starliner Mission to Launch Astronauts for NASA in May 2024

Historic Mission Marks a Turning Point for Boeing and NASA

Boeing is poised to launch its first-ever Starliner astronaut mission for NASA as early as May 6, 2024. The highly anticipated mission represents a significant milestone for Boeing and NASA, marking the culmination of years of development and testing. The Starliner spacecraft, designed to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS), has faced several setbacks in recent years, including a failed test flight in 2019. However, Boeing has made substantial progress in resolving technical issues and is now confident in the spacecraft's readiness for a crewed mission.

Launch Details and Coverage

The Starliner mission will launch from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will carry the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft into orbit. The launch is scheduled for May 6, 2024, at 9:00 AM UTC. NASA will provide extensive launch coverage on NASA Television, the NASA app, and YouTube. After reaching orbit, the Starliner spacecraft will perform a series of maneuvers to rendezvous with the ISS, where it will dock with the Harmony module.

Crew and Objectives

The Starliner mission will carry three astronauts to the ISS: Barry Wilmore, Sunita Williams, and Mike Fincke. The astronauts will spend several months conducting research and maintenance tasks aboard the space station. They will also perform spacewalks to upgrade the ISS's power systems and install new experiments. The Starliner spacecraft is designed to remain docked with the ISS for up to six months, providing a safe and reliable means of transporting astronauts to and from the station.