An Atlas 5 rocket is set to launch with astronauts on board for the first time in six decades to send Boeing’s Starliner crew ferry ship into orbit for its first piloted test flight to the International Space Station. The Starliner, which has faced delays and budget overruns, is Boeing’s response to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, an operational spacecraft that has successfully carried numerous astronauts and civilians into space. This mission has been funded by NASA to ensure redundancy in ferry ships that can transport crews to the space station.
The astronauts for this mission, Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita Williams, are veteran Navy test pilots and NASA astronauts with 11 spacewalks and a combined 500 days in space between them. The Starliner, like the Crew Dragon, is equipped with an abort system that can safely propel the capsule away from its booster in case of a malfunction. After liftoff, the astronauts will fine-tune the ship’s orbit using thruster firings before approaching and docking with the space station using manual controls. Once the mission is complete, they will return to Earth using the spacecraft’s manual backup system.
If the Starliner test flight is successful, NASA plans to certify it for regular crew rotations to the space station. This would involve launching one Crew Dragon and one Starliner each year to deliver crew members for six-month stays on the station. This milestone is considered crucial by NASA as it establishes a redundant system for transporting astronauts to the space station, ensuring continuous access to the outpost. Despite delays and technical issues, the completion of this mission will be a significant achievement for the United States’ human space exploration capabilities.
Boeing’s Starliner faced setbacks during its initial test flight in 2019, including software errors and communication issues that prevented a successful rendezvous with the space station. After resolving these problems, the second test flight encountered issues with stuck propulsion system valves, which were later traced back to corrosion caused by moisture. Additional problems with parachute harness connectors and protective tape led to further delays, with the first crewed flight being pushed back to 2024. Despite these challenges, Boeing invested over $1 billion in additional testing and corrective actions to ensure the success of the mission.
In contrast, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon successfully launched astronauts and civilians to the space station since May 2020, completing eight operational crew rotation flights along with research and commercial missions. The success of Crew Dragon highlighted the delays and challenges faced by Boeing’s Starliner, which struggled with technical issues and delays that required extensive testing and modification. As both spacecraft aim to provide reliable transportation for crew members to the space station, the completion of Boeing’s mission will be a significant milestone in the commercial crew program initiated by NASA to encourage private sector involvement in human space exploration. Despite the setbacks, the dedication and investment from Boeing demonstrate their commitment to ensuring a safe and successful mission to the International Space Station.
