Astronauts Butch Wilmore And Suni Williamsfrom NASA are already heading to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the spacecraft Boeing Starliner. After years of delays and a couple of failed attempts, Boeing was able to make the first manned flight of its rocket-powered capsule. Atlas V from United Launch Alliance (ULA).
As planned, the Boeing Starliner launched at 10:52 Eastern Time. There were high hopes that the flight would take place this Wednesday, following the postponement of the attempt planned for last Saturday, June 1st. Weather conditions were 90% favorable, and technical problems that had prevented previous attempts had been resolved.
The Atlas V consumed nearly 500,000 pounds of fuel during the Boeing Starliner’s takeoff, ULA said. The separation of the first stage of the rocket took place without incident, and the upper stage of the Centaur also fulfilled its role without any problems. The main engine stopped 12 minutes after launch. and the capsule separated from the rocket after about 3 minutes.
31 minutes after takeoff, the Boeing Starliner capsule successfully completed the first of several planned engine starts. Thus, it will rotate in its preliminary orbit in search of the International Space Station.
After successfully inserting into orbit, Boeing Starliner began the journey that will take it to the ISS. in about 25 hours. It is reported that the approach and docking maneuvers with the station are planned to be completed on Thursday at 12:15 Eastern time.
Boeing successfully launched the first manned Starliner capsule
Butch Wilmore And Suni Williams They will be the first astronauts to reach the International Space Station aboard the Boeing Starliner. The launch marks a significant milestone as the capsule is the second NASA Commercial Crew Program capsule to begin operations, following SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.
Development of the Boeing Starliner began in 2010, but it was not until 2014 that NASA selected it, along with SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, to carry its astronauts to and from the International Space Station. However, the project has repeatedly been in the news due to constant delays and problems.
The first unmanned orbital flight was completed only at the end of 2019, and the second, after numerous problems, took place in 2022. Regarding the first manned launch, This Wednesday was the third attempt by Boeing and ULA..
Wilmore and Williams were scheduled to take off in early May, but the launch was canceled due to problems with the oxygen valve. Meanwhile, on June 1, problems with ULA’s computers aborted the flight with only four minutes remaining on the countdown. Fortunately, The third time was the charm for the Boeing Starliner and its crew.which is already on its way to the International Space Station.
Source: Hiper Textual
