Sunita Williams blasts off to ISS in NASA’s Starliner spacecraft
Produced by: Priya Singh
NASA’s spacecraft takes off for historic voyage
Boeing launched two astronauts, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, in NASA’s Starliner spacecraft for the first time, after several delays. Here’s all you need to know about this space mission.
Boeing Starliner mission
After two delays, Boeing Starliner mission carrying two astronauts on a ULA (United Launch Alliance) Atlas V rocket took place from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on June This is the very first time a crew has flown on the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. The mission's destination is the International Space Station (ISS), where they will likely dock after a 25-hour journey.
International Space Station
The International Space Station (ISS) is a large spacecraft in orbit around Earth. It serves as a science laboratory, observatory, and home for astronauts on long-duration missions. It was launched in 1998 and is a collaborative project between five space agencies: NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada).
Why is this Starliner mission important?
Right now, SpaceX is the only private company certified to fly astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) for NASA. A successful mission would signify a major achievement for Boeing, potentially leading to the Starliner becoming a regular crewed vehicle for NASA. SpaceX's Crew Dragon is the spacecraft currently used to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS) for NASA's Commercial Crew Program.
Sunita Willams and Butch Wilmore
This NASA spacecraft is being piloted by Sunita Williams while Butch Wilmore will command this 10-day mission. Wilmore is a retired US Navy Captain who logged two spaceflights, accumulating a significant amount of time in space. His first mission was as a pilot aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis in 2009, delivering supplies to the ISS.
Sunita Williams
Boeing’s Starliner mission is Sunita Williams’ third space flight. She has also become the first woman to pilot the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. Hence, she has solidified her place as a veteran astronaut. Before this mission, Sunita Williams was the record holder for most spacewalks by a woman and total cumulative spacewalk time for a woman (50 hours, 40 minutes).
“Go Starliner, Go Butch and Suni!”
NASA stated, “Two bold NASA astronauts are well on their way on this historic first test flight of a brand-new spacecraft. Boeing’s Starliner marks a new chapter of American exploration. Human spaceflight is a daring task – but that’s why it’s worth doing. It’s an exciting time for NASA, our commercial partners, and the future of exploration. Go Starliner, Go Butch and Suni!”