Starliner Comedy Mission Successfully Launched Into Orbit

Starliner launched alongside the Atlas V rocket (photo: dock. NASA)

JAKARTA Starliner, Boeing's spacecraft, was finally launched into orbit on Wednesday, June 5. The aircraft took off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station using an Atlas V ULA rocket. As the first manned flight test mission, Starliner took two NASA astronauts into space, namely Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. These two astronauts will assist the engineering team in examining or verifying Starliner's performance. Wilmore and Williams will test the environmental control system, display and control system, perform driving maneuvers, and test other systems during flight. After testing the Starliner, these two astronauts will land on the space station. Shortly after Starliner's launch was carried out, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson confirmed that the launch was running well and two NASA astronauts were carrying out flight tests. This NASA and Boeing collaboration mission will open a new chapter of exploration. "Human spaceflight is a bold task, yet that is why it is worth doing. This is an exciting moment for NASA, our commercial partner, and future exploration," Nelson said, quoted on Thursday, June 6. Meanwhile, Commercial Crew Manager Boeing Mark Nappi said that Starliner launches are in line with what NASA and Boeing expected. Starting from rocket separation to flight to orbit, everything went smoothly.

"The Boeing Crew flight test is right on track," said Napi. "Everyone is focused on providing Suni and Butch safe, comfortable, and carrying out successful testing missions from start to finish." Starliner is expected to land at the Harmony module port on the International Space Station (ISS) about a day after launch. The aircraft will be in the orbital laboratory for one week until Wilmore and Williams complete their duties.