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Spacesuits, Cargo Ops on Station as Starliner Targets June 5 Launch

Boeing's CST-100 Starliner crew ship approaches the International Space Station above the south Pacific on May 20, 2022. — Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner crew ship approaches the International Space Station during the Orbital Flight Test-2 in May of 2022.

The Expedition 71 crew kicked off Monday with spacesuit work and cargo operations aboard the International Space Station. Back on Earth, mission managers are targeting June 5 for the launch of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on NASA’s Crew Flight Test.

Four NASA astronauts spent much of Monday in the Quest airlock checking out spacesuits and reviewing procedures for a trio of spacewalks targeted to take place in June. Flight Engineer Mike Barratt started the work as he powered up the spacesuits, cleaned cooling loops, and serviced suit components throughout the day. Flight Engineer Tracy C. Dyson assisted Barratt with the suit job then trained on the suit safety systems and jet packs that would be used to maneuver back to the station in the unlikely event of an emergency.

Flight Engineer Matthew Dominick also participated in the spacesuit and jet pack safety training. He also joined Flight Engineer Jeanette Epps and reviewed standard spacewalk procedures such as suiting up, exiting and entering Quest, safety steps, and communication protocols. NASA will announce the spacewalk details and spacewalkers in an upcoming media advisory and news briefing.

On Saturday, June 1, a Roscosmos Progress 88 cargo craft docked to the space station’s Poisk module packed with about three tons food, fuel, and supplies. Cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub monitored Progress’ arrival then spent a portion of the weekend and all-day Monday unloading the new cargo. Kononenko also replaced communications gear in the Zvezda service module while Chub set up and photographed a new space physics investigation.

Cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin pointed a camera outside a station window toward Earth today and photographed landmarks for a pair of Earth observation studies. At the end of the day, Grebenkin installed hardware to image Earth’s atmosphere in ultraviolet wavelengths. Researchers use the imagery to understand natural events and man-made impacts on Earth’s surface and atmosphere.

Teams at NASA and Boeing confirmed Monday the company’s Starliner spacecraft, ULA (United Launch Alliance) Atlas V rocket, and ground support equipment are healthy and ready for the next launch attempt. The first Starliner flight with NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, known as NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test, is targeted to liftoff at 10:52 a.m. EDT Wednesday, June 5, to the International Space Station for about a one week stay aboard the microgravity laboratory.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station and @ISS_Research on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

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NASA, Boeing Set for June 5 Crew Flight Test Launch Attempt

A ULA (United Launch Alliance) Atlas V rocket with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft aboard is seen on the launch pad at Space Launch Complex-41 ahead of NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test Saturday, May 4, 2024, at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test is the first launch of the Boeing Starliner spacecraft and ULA Atlas V rocket with astronauts to the International Space Station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. Photo credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky

Work at the launch pad at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida was completed June 2 to change out and test a failed power distribution source that halted a launch attempt on June 1. The Starliner mission management team reviewed multiple aspects of the replacement and troubleshooting steps and polled “go” to proceed during a detailed session as they continue to prep the teams and hardware for the June 5 opportunity.

“I really appreciate all the work by the NASA, Boeing, and ULA teams over the last week,” said Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. “In particular, the ULA team worked really hard to quickly learn more about these issues, keep our NASA and Boeing teams informed, and protect for this next attempt. We will continue to take it one step at a time.”

The weather forecast continues to call for favorable conditions, with U.S. Space Force meteorologists from the 45th Weather Squadron predicting a 90% chance of acceptable conditions at launch time. The ascent corridor and onshore winds weather also is forecast to be acceptable in the unlikely case of an emergency abort during the launch.

Wilmore and Williams continue preparing for launch with proficiency training. The two remain quarantined at Kennedy Space Center in Florida ahead of liftoff.

Learn more about NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test by following the mission blog, the commercial crew blog, @commercial_crew on X, and commercial crew on Facebook.

NASA, Mission Partners to Update Media on Starliner Crew Flight Test

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft aboard is seen on the launch pad at Space Launch Complex-41 following a scrub of NASA’s, Boeing Crew Flight Test. Photo Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky

NASA, Boeing, and ULA (United Launch Alliance) will host a news conference at 3 p.m. EDT to discuss Saturday’s scrubbed launch attempt of the agency’s Crew Flight Test due to an observation of a ground launch sequencer. The system was unsuccessful in verifying the sequencer’s necessary redundancy.

NASA will provide news conference coverage on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency’s website.

The following will participate in the news conference:

Steve Stich, manager, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program
Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager, Commercial Crew Program, Boeing
Tory Bruno, president and CEO, ULA

Media may ask questions in person and via phone. Limited auditorium space will be available for in-person participation. For the dial-in number and passcode, media should contact the newsroom at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at [email protected].

Learn more about NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test by following the mission blog, the commercial crew blog, @commercial_crew on X, and commercial crew on Facebook.

NASA, Boeing Crew Flight Test Launch Scrubs Saturday

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft atop the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is seen on the launch pad of Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Saturday, June 1, 2024. Photo caption: NASA Television

NASA, Boeing, and ULA (United Launch Alliance) scrubbed today’s launch opportunity due to the computer ground launch sequencer not loading into the correct operational configuration after proceeding into terminal count. The ULA team is working to understand the cause. The next launch opportunity is Sunday, June 2, at 12:03 p.m. EDT for launch of NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test.

The ULA Atlas V rocket and Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft are in a safe configuration, and NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are preparing to exit the spacecraft.

Check back for updates by following the mission blog, the commercial crew blog, @commercial_crew on X, and commercial crew on Facebook.

NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test Access Arm Retracts

Crew access arm retracts at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Saturday, June 1, 2024. Photo credit: NASA Television

We’re just minutes away from liftoff of NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test that will send NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program.

At Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, the crew access arm has retracted on the crew access tower.

The crew access arm lines up with the hatch of Boeing’s Starliner capsule, and it’s designed to rotate and retract at various speeds. The arm provides entry and emergency egress for astronauts and technicians into and out of the spacecraft.

Liftoff of Boeing’s Starliner atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket remains on track for 12:25 p.m. EDT.

NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test Hatch Closed, What’s Inside Starliner

Boeing teams close the hatch the Starliner spacecraft ahead of launch of NASA, Boeing’s Crew Flight Test on Saturday, June 1, 2024. Photo credit: NASA Television

Just one hour remains ahead of liftoff of NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test to the International Space Station. Launch weather officers with the U.S. Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron predict a 90% chance of favorable weather conditions with onshore winds and the cumulus cloud rule being the primary weather concerns at the launch pad for a liftoff, scheduled for 12:25 p.m. EDT. Communication checks with NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are complete. The hatch is now closed on the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, named Calypso. Next up, a series of cabin leak checks and a cabin pressurization check will be completed.

For NASA missions to low Earth orbit, the Starliner capsule, with a diameter of 15 feet (4.56m), will hold four astronauts or a mix of crew and cargo.

Inside Starliner for this mission is about 759 pounds of cargo, which includes food, clothing, exercise gear, medical supplies, photo and media equipment, vehicle supplies and tools, and other items. A thumb drive containing about 3,500 images of artwork from children in 35 states and 66 different countries is also set to launch aboard Starliner.

NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test astronaut Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore sit inside Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft as they prepare to launch atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket ahead of liftoff scheduled for 12:25 p.m. ET Saturday, June 1, 2024. Photo credit: NASA Television

Wilmore is flying with two gold rings he had made for his father and brother that resemble the U.S. Navy astronaut pilot wing pin. He also brought shirts from his alma maters, Tennessee Technological University and the University of Tennessee. Williams brought shirts from the U.S. Naval Academy and the Sunita L. Williams Elementary School in Needham, Massachusetts. She also has a diver pin and two dog tags from her Labrador Retrievers.

At 12:25 p.m. EDT, a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will launch the Starliner crew capsule from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Following a roughly 25-hour journey, Starliner will rendezvous and dock with the space station at 1:50 p.m., Sunday, June 2.

Watch live coverage of today’s mission on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency’s website. Learn how to stream NASA TV through a variety of platforms including social media.

Meet the NASA Boeing Crew Flight Test Astronauts

From left, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams wave to family and friends outside the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Saturday, June 1, 2024. Photo Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky

Let’s get to know the two NASA astronauts flying Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft for the first time as part of the agency’s Boeing Crew Flight Test mission.

Butch Wilmore is the commander of tonight’s mission. Previously, he was a fighter pilot, U.S. Navy captain, and completed two other spaceflights for Expedition 41 in 2014 and for STS-129 for space shuttle Atlantis in 2009. Wilmore has logged 178 days in space. He was selected as an astronaut by NASA in July 2000.

Outside of his current mission, he serves as pastor and leads weekly Bible studies and participates in mission trips throughout South and Central America to assist medical professionals.

Wilmore grew up in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. He earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in electrical engineering from Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, before graduating with another master’s degree in aviation systems from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He is also a graduate of the United States Naval Test Pilot School, Patuxent River, Maryland. He is married and has two children.

Suni Williams is the pilot of the Starliner spacecraft and is the first woman to fly on the first flight of a crewed spacecraft. She is also a retired U.S. Navy captain and completed two spaceflight missions – Expeditions 14/15 in 2006 and 32/33 in 2012. Williams has logged 322 days in space. She became a NASA astronaut in 1998.

While not training for NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test, Williams spends time with her two rescue Labrador retrievers, Gunner and Rotor. She plans to bring their dogs tags to the space station while on the week-long mission.

Williams graduated with her bachelor’s degree in physical science from the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, before obtaining her master’s degree in engineering management from the Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne. In total, she has logged more than 3,000 flight hours in over 30 different aircraft.

Williams grew up in Needham, Massachusetts. She is married and enjoys working on cars, homes, and airplanes.

Liftoff remains on schedule for 12:25 p.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Learn more about NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test by following the mission blog, the commercial crew blog, @commercial_crew on X, and commercial crew on Facebook.

NASA’s Boeing Astronauts at Launch Pad

NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams arrive Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida ahead of liftoff scheduled for 12:25 p.m. ET Saturday, June 1, 2024. Wilmore and Williams are the first to launch aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft to the International Space Station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. Photo credit: NASA Television

We’re about three hours away from NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams heading to the International Space Station.

Wilmore and Williams just arrived at the crew access tower at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida and will soon head into the White Room. The environmentally controlled chamber at the outer end of the access arm platform is where astronauts prepare to enter Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.

NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams walk through the crew access arm at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida before loading into Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket ahead of liftoff scheduled for 12:25 p.m. ET Saturday, June 1, 2024. Photo credit: NASA Television

While in the White Room, the crew will make any last-minute adjustments before launch. Technicians also will complete a series of checkouts before Wilmore enters the capsule, followed by Williams.

The Starliner spacecraft is set to launch at 12:25 p.m. EDT on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. Launch weather officers with the U.S. Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron predict a 90% chance of favorable weather conditions with onshore winds and the cumulus cloud rule being the primary weather concerns at the launch pad for a liftoff, scheduled for 12:25 p.m. EDT.

Follow the mission blog for the most up-to-date operations as launch milestones occur. Watch NASA’s mission coverage on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency’s website. Learn how to stream NASA TV through a variety of platforms including social media.

NASA Astronauts Wave to Family, Friends as They Head to Launch Pad

NASA Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams walk out of Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. — NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams walk out of the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew members are on their way to load up into Boeing’s Astrovan for the trip to the launch pad of Space Launch Complex-41 at nearby Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, where they will launch to the International Space Station aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at 12:25 p.m. Photo credit: NASA Television

NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test astronauts Butch Wilmore, commander, and Suni Williams, pilot, are suited up and on their way to the launch pad for today’s launch.

The duo spent about an hour putting on their suits and completing suit leak checks inside the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

After departing the building, Wilmore and Williams waved to family and friends waiting outside before loading into Boeing’s Astrovan. The nine-mile drive will take the astronauts to the launch pad at nearby Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Wilmore and Williams are the first crew to fly aboard Boeing’s Starliner as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. Liftoff to the International Space Station is scheduled for 12:25 p.m. EDT. The crew is expected to arrive at the orbiting laboratory for rendezvous and docking at 1:50 p.m., Sunday, June 2.

After suit-up and final fit checks, NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore enter the elevator in the Astronaut Crew Quarters on Saturday, June 1, 2024, inside Kennedy Space Center’s Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building in Florida. Photo credit: NASA Television

Wilmore and Williams will spend about a week at the space station before the crew capsule makes a parachute and airbag-assisted landing in the southwestern United States.

Once the flight test is complete, NASA will begin the final process of certifying Starliner and its systems for regular human spaceflight launches.

Today’s launch makes history in several ways. Williams is the first female astronaut to fly on the first flight of a crewed spacecraft. It also marks the first crewed launch on the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket and the first crewed launch on an Atlas-family class rocket since Gordon Cooper on the last Mercury program flight aboard “Faith 7” in May 1963. 

Learn about the crew flight test by following the mission blog, the commercial crew blog, @commercial crew on X, and commercial crew on Facebook. Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station, and @ISS Research on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test Launch Milestones

An image of Boeing Starliner spacecraft aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas Vrocket — Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft atop the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at sunrise on the launch pad of Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Saturday, June 1, 2024, ahead of NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test. Photo credit: NASA Television

In less than four hours, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are set to lift off at 12:25 p.m. EDT aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

As part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program, the mission is the first crewed flight for the Starliner spacecraft to the International Space Station.

Here is a look at some key milestones leading up to today’s launch:

Time Event (All times approximate and subject to change)
8 a.m. Flight crew begins suit-up operations
9:01 a.m. Crew walkout from the Neil A. Armstrong Operations Checkout Building
9:05 a.m. Crew departs, travels to Space Launch Complex-41
9:21 a.m. Crew arrives at pad, ascends tower, enters White Room, and enters Starliner capsule separately
10:48 a.m. Hatch closure and leak checks
11:17 a.m. Hatch closure complete
11:26 a.m. Configure White Room for launch
11:50 a.m. Clear for launch check
12:04 p.m. Crew access arm retracts
12:25 p.m. Liftoff!
12:26 p.m. ULA rocket reaches Max Q
12:28 p.m. Atlas V booster separates
12:40 p.m. Boeing Starliner separates
12:56 p.m. Orbital insertion burn

Starliner will autonomously dock to the station on Sunday, June 2, and remain at the orbital laboratory for about a week. Although Starliner is designed to dock autonomously, the astronauts aboard the spacecraft will demonstrate manual control processes and capabilities before the spacecraft makes its automated final approach.

Stay tuned for more updates on this blog as the countdown to launch continues.