NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams prepare for their mission in the company’s Starliner spacecraft simulator...Credits: NASA/Robert Markowitz

Jun

The Boeing Starliner Takes Flight

A historic first voyage for the Starliner craft took place on June 5.

The Bottom Line Upfront

NASA and Boeing launched two astronauts to the International Space Station aboard the Starliner spacecraft on June 5,after previous attempts were canceled.

The Breakdown

This mission marks a critical milestone in certifying Boeing as a reliable option for human spaceflight.
The fault that caused a scrubbed attempt was linked to ground control computer issues.
Astronauts Wilmore and Williams will perform extensive tests on the capsule’s systems if launched successfully.
This successful launch has been expected to trigger a transition the Starliner program from testing phases into operational status by early 2025, offering NASA an alternative to SpaceX's current capabilities.