Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams entered the International Space Station (ISS) after a 24-hour journey aboard the Starliner spacecraft, which she piloted to space.
Credit : NASA
The Boeing Starliner successfully docked with the ISS on Thursday, following its launch on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
This mission marks Williams’s third trip to space, making her the first woman to pilot a spacecraft on its maiden test flight, adding to her 322 days already spent in space.
Williams and astronaut Butch Willmore will spend a week on the ISS, testing the Starliner spacecraft’s functionality, robustness, and capabilities for launching and landing astronauts.
Williams will conduct tests on Starliner’s manual piloting capabilities, including pointing the spacecraft, adjusting its orbit, manually charging its batteries, and maintaining its attitude in space.
The mission, known as Crew Flight Test (CFT), aims to certify the Starliner for regular space travel to and from the ISS. This involves validating the spacecraft’s systems from launch to landing.
Credit : NASA
The astronauts will perform various tests, such as manual control demonstrations and system checks, to confirm the spacecraft’s functionality and safety. The mission’s success is crucial for Boeing and NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
Unlike other American spacecraft, the Starliner will land on the ground rather than in water. The spacecraft’s performance during re-entry and landing will be closely monitored, marking a significant step for future crewed missions.