NASA recently announced that media can now register for the upcoming launch of Boeing’s Crew Flight Test to the International Space Station (ISS), marking the first crewed mission of the Starliner spacecraft. The test is a critical component of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program and aims to verify the spacecraft’s suitability for future astronaut transport missions.
Crew to Test Starliner’s Full Capabilities
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will spearhead the mission, launching on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. Their two-week stay will include docking and operating aboard the ISS. The launch window is set for mid-April 2024, with the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida serving as the departure site. The Starliner’s performance across all phases of the mission, from lift-off to docking, and ultimately its return to Earth, will undergo thorough evaluation.
Path to Starliner’s Operational Use
Success in this mission paves the way for subsequent certification of the Starliner and its systems for regular astronaut missions to the ISS. NASA’s overarching aim is to ensure the safety, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of transport for space station missions.
Additionally, U.S. media will have an opportunity to capture the Starliner spacecraft during rollout activities at the Kennedy Space Center scheduled for early April. Details regarding the application process for both launch coverage and the rollout photo opportunity have been provided, with different deadlines based on the nature of coverage and nationality of the media.
Interested media representatives are required to apply online for accreditation, adhering to specific deadlines. Special logistical requests for covering the event, including space for satellite trucks and tents, must also meet the prescribed application timelines. Contact details for accreditation inquiries and other logistical information have been shared for media convenience.
The Commercial Crew Program continues to foster partnerships between NASA and the American aerospace industry, with the objective of launching astronauts from American soil in American spacecraft, thus increasing research opportunities aboard the ISS.
For further information about the Commercial Crew Program and the upcoming Starliner mission, NASA provides contact details and encourages visiting their dedicated webpage.
