Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams is gearing up for her third trip to space tonight. Williams will pilot Boeing’s Starliner, the first crewed spacecraft from the company, to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission, initially delayed due to technical issues, is now ready to proceed, with Williams and fellow NASA astronaut Barry 'Butch' Wilmore on board for this critical test flight.
Launch Details
The spacecraft is scheduled to lift off from Florida's Kennedy Space Center at around 10 pm Indian Standard Time today, according to NASA. This mission marks a significant milestone as Williams and Wilmore will be the first humans to travel aboard the Starliner as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
About Sunita Williams
Sunita Williams, a distinguished astronaut, previously held the record for the most spacewalks by a woman. A United States Navy officer, she was part of expeditions 14 and 15 and was later recruited by NASA. Williams has received the Padma Bhushan award for her outstanding contributions. Her journey as an astronaut began in June 1998, and she completed her last space mission by returning to Earth with shuttle Atlantis' STS-117 flight on June 22, 2007.
Starliner’s First Crewed Launch
The Starliner will be launched into space atop an Atlas 5 rocket, provided by United Launch Alliance (ULA). The spacecraft is expected to reach the ISS on Sunday, where Williams and Wilmore will conduct various tests over nearly a week. If all goes according to plan, the Starliner will return to Earth on June 10, landing in the southwestern United States with the help of parachutes and airbags.
Significance for Boeing
This test flight is crucial for Boeing. A successful mission will enable Boeing to use the Starliner for regular crewed missions to the ISS. NASA plans to utilize the Starliner capsule to transport astronauts and cargo to low Earth orbit, potentially sending up to four astronauts per mission.
NASA, Boeing, and ULA have expressed confidence in the launch, with Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, stating, "I'm very proud of the teams who have worked really hard the last two and a half weeks to prepare for launch. We're really ready to go fly."
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