Starliner Soars: NASA Astronauts Make History
First Crew to Fly Aboard Boeing's Starliner Capsule
NASA's Commercial Crew Program Nears Completion
NASA's free-to-air broadcast network, NASA Television, revealed that NASA astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita Williams are set to make history as the first crew members to fly aboard the Starliner capsule. This achievement marks the culmination of NASA's 13-year Commercial Crew Program (CCP), which aims to develop commercial spacecraft to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS).
A Boeing-built Starliner spacecraft carrying the two astronauts successfully launched on Wednesday, May 29, 2023. Lifted by an Atlas V rocket, the spacecraft embarked on an arcing path to space. NASA provided live coverage of the launch and early parts of the flight, which marks a significant milestone in the CCP.
Wilmore and Williams will spend approximately 25 hours aboard the Starliner after launch before reaching the ISS. According to the Associated Press, Boeing's space capsule has developed leaks during its first test flight with astronauts. As the capsule approaches the ISS, the issue is being closely monitored.
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