Boeing's Starliner to Launch Astronauts Williams, Wilmore to ISS Monday

May 6, 2024, 03:30 AM

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is set for its first crewed test flight to the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday, with a scheduled launch time of 10:34 p.m. ET. This historic mission, a decade in the making, years of delays, and significantly over budget with $1.5 billion spent, will carry two NASA astronauts, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore. Both astronauts are experienced space travelers and retired Navy captains. The launch, conducted by ULA with the Atlas V rocket, marks a critical test for Boeing as it seeks to establish itself alongside SpaceX in NASA's Commercial Crew Program. The successful completion of this mission, described as an emotional rollercoaster, is crucial for Boeing to begin regular astronaut flights to the ISS.