The first crewed launch of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is finally happening, with NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams set to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 1 at 11:25 p.m. Hanoi time from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, using an Atlas V rocket from United Launch Alliance.
NASA sees the Starliner as a key addition to its fleet for transporting crews to the ISS alongside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. Despite encountering several setbacks during its development, NASA believes in the potential success of the Starliner. The spacecraft features a reusable passenger capsule and disposable equipment capsule, designed for missions to low Earth orbit. It can carry up to 7 people and dock with the ISS for up to 7 months.
In contrast, the Crew Dragon from SpaceX has been operational for several years and has completed both crewed and uncrewed missions to the ISS. The spacecraft features a modern touch screen cockpit and can also carry up to 7 astronauts, similarly to the Starliner. However, it has a significant advantage over Starliner when it comes to cargo transportation capacity – it can carry up to 6,000 kg of cargo, significantly more than Starliner’s maximum weight limit of 24 tons.
Both spacecraft have their unique features and advantages, with Starliner focusing on a more traditional cockpit design while Crew Dragon adopts a more modern and advanced interface. As NASA continues its mission towards expanding its commercial crew capabilities, having both spacecraft in its fleet will enhance its ability to transport crew and cargo efficiently and effectively.
In summary, NASA is ready to launch its first crewed mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on June 1st at midnight Hanoi time from Kennedy Space Center in Florida using an Atlas V rocket from United Launch Alliance. Both spacecraft will continue their roles as key additions to NASA’s fleet for transporting crews and cargo efficiently and effectively towards low Earth orbit missions onboard International Space Station (ISS).
