Boeing's Starliner Successfully Launches First Crewed Mission to ISS on Third Attempt at 10:52am ET

Jun 5, 2024, 07:53 PM

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft successfully launched its first crewed mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 5, 2024, after multiple delays and technical issues. The spacecraft, carried by a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, lifted off from Cape Canaveral at 10:52am ET with NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on board. This mission, which was the third attempt, marks Boeing's entry into the commercial crew spaceflight sector, joining SpaceX in ferrying astronauts to the ISS. However, the Starliner faced challenges during its journey, including helium leaks and thruster issues, which were resolved before docking with the ISS on June 6, 2024. The launch was streamed live on NASA+. The astronauts are expected to return to Earth in roughly 10 days.