The first manned test flight of a Starliner vehicle to the space station

While that SpaceXSpaceX It has been providing regular transportation service to astronauts, tourists, and private astronauts since May 2020, the date of the first manned flight by an American company. Boeing and NASA are preparing to launch the first manned test flight of the Starliner vehicle to the destination… International Space StationInternational Space Station (ISS), after several years of delay. Originally, the Starliner was scheduled to enter service in 2017!

After conducting two uncrewed Starliner orbital test flights in December 2019 and May 2022, which were marked by technical problems that delayed development, Boeing appears to have finally overcome these difficulties.

The spacecraft will be launched by an Atlas V rocketUnited Launch Alliance since Cape CanaveralCape Canaveral In Florida. It will transport two NASA astronauts, Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sonny Williams, for a stay for a week or two.

Mission to prepare Boeing for operational service in 2025

This mission, its name Boeing flight test crew, is critical to the future of the program. If all goes smoothly and all set goals are met, Boeing will then be able to start space transportation services for astronauts on behalf of NASA or another private customer, such as SpaceX and Crew Dragon. This first operational mission of the Starliner (Starliner-1) is planned for early 2025 at the earliest.

This task is part of the program Commercial crew NASA, which uses private space transportation services to ensure crew rotation aboard the International Space Station.