Exciting New Era for NASA Astronauts and Starliner Mission
In a significant development, a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket successfully carried the Starliner Orbital Flight Test 2 spacecraft as it lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida in May 2022.
Fresh Batch of NASA Astronauts Ready to Embark on Starliner Mission
Recently graduated from basic training on March 5, NASA’s latest astronaut group is eagerly preparing to support the upcoming Boeing Starliner test launch with astronauts slated for May. Seasoned astronauts Suni Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore will spearhead the crew for the anticipated International Space Station (ISS) mission known as Crew Flight Test.
Starliner Set to Join Crew Dragon in ISS Missions
Upon its successful integration, the Starliner spacecraft is expected to conduct regular trips to and from the ISS alongside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule, which initiated crewed flights back in 2020. The new cadre of astronauts is eager to participate in missions aboard the Boeing-manufactured spacecraft.
Challenges Faced by Starliner in Development
While both Boeing and SpaceX were selected by NASA in 2014 to develop commercial crew vehicles for ISS missions with substantial funding, Starliner encountered more hurdles compared to Crew Dragon. Starliner experienced setbacks during its initial uncrewed flight in December 2019 but managed to rendezvous with the ISS during its subsequent attempt in May 2022.
Starliner’s Road to Crewed Missions
The journey towards Starliner’s first crewed mission has been dotted with obstacles, such as issues with suspension lines on the spacecraft’s parachutes and the presence of flammable tape around wiring components. Consequently, the planned liftoff for the mission has been postponed from July 2023 to the spring of 2024.
Future Crew Assignments for Starliner Missions
Despite the delays and crew reassignments, the launch plans for Starliner are solidifying for upcoming missions. NASA astronauts Scott Tingle and Mike Fincke, alongside Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk, have been designated to partake in Starliner-1, the initial six-month operational ISS mission scheduled for no earlier than 2025.
In conclusion, a new generation of astronauts is eagerly preparing to embark on the new era of spaceflight with the upcoming Starliner missions, ushering in a promising chapter for NASA’s astronaut program.