Boeing's new passenger spaceship, the CST-100 Starliner, safely flew to space this afternoon, nearly two and a half years after its maiden launch went wrong. It reached the orbit required to connect with the International Space Station tomorrow evening. The successful launch kicks off a critical test flight for Starliner that will take place in orbit over the following week, demonstrating if the capsule can deliver humans to space one day.
Boeing and NASA collaborated on the Starliner, a commercial spaceship designed to ferry NASA astronauts to and from the International Space Station in low Earth orbit. The capsule is one of two spacecraft that NASA helped fund and SpaceX's Crew Dragon to assist shift space transportation from the government to private industry. However, before NASA's astronauts may board Starliner, Boeing must demonstrate that the capsule can complete all of the responsibilities of a conventional spaceflight mission without a crew, The Verge reported.
An Atlas V rocket of United Launch Alliance lifts off from launch pad SLC-41 to begin the Orbital Flight Test 2, or OFT-2 mission, at Cape Canaveral, Florida on May 19, 2022. - Sitting atop the rocket is the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, which will eventually transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station. The test flight was delayed from rom December of 2019 by software problems which led to stuck isolation valves on the capsule. The launch will gather data aimed at a crewed test flight later this year as well as carry more than 500 pounds (227 kg) of food and other supplies to the International Space Station.
Boeing Starliner Finally Launched From Cape Canaveral
The satellite successfully launched from Cape Canaveral atop an Atlas V rocket at 6:54 p.m., brightening the sky over Florida's Space Coast. The trip demonstrates Boeing's autonomous capsule's ability to catch up with the station and park itself. The journey on Thursday was a test of the spaceship without any passengers. Boeing will begin flying NASA astronauts later this year if the flight goes smoothly, according to The Washington Post.
However, the launch was only the first stage of a quest that will span days and be riddled with obstacles. The capsule must still catch up with the space station, traveling at 17,500 miles per hour in orbit. Then it must gradually approach the station, halting at various intervals to ensure that it is properly positioned. NASA would then give it permission to dock.
The comeback is also a major test. After a few days, the Starliner would detach from the station and speed through the thickening atmosphere, generating temperatures of around 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat shield must remain intact and the parachutes should work hard to slow it down in preparation for landing. Starliner also deployed airbags to provide a gentle landing at one of the isolated landing spots in the western United States.
So far, everything seemed to go well, from liftoff through Starliner breaking from the rocket and firing its four engines to place it in a stable orbit.
About Boeing Starliner
NASA astronauts have depended on SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft to successfully visit the ISS since 2020. Still, they've emphasized that having the Boeing spacecraft flying is equally critical.
During a live-streamed event on Wednesday, May 18, NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana stated that they want the dissimilar redundancy between SpaceX and Boeing so that if one fails, they can still reach the International Space Station.
According to ZDNET, NASA canceled its own space shuttle program in 2011, with intentions to depend more on the burgeoning private space industry.
The government agency granted two big contracts in 2014 to get their ambitions off the ground. The first deal was worth $4.2 billion for Boeing to build the Starliner, while the second contract was worth $2.6 billion for SpaceX to build the Crew Dragon.
Meanwhile, NASA astronauts relied on the Russian Soyuz program to get to the ISS before the Commercial Crew Program (CCP) was fully operational with the help of SpaceX.
In 2019, both SpaceX and Boeing planned unmanned test missions, but only the Crew Dragon made it to the International Space Station.
The Starliner was launched in December 2019, but due to software issues, it had to return to Earth before docking with the Space Station.
According to Wired, the Starliner's second launch was halted in 2021 due to valve system concerns.
RELATED ARTICLE: Boeing Starliner's Capsule's Window Falls Off Before Being Mounted Atop ULA Atlas Rocket in Launch Pad [WATCH]
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