NASA Astronauts Prepare for Historic Launch on Boeing's Starliner
Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams Return to Space
Liftoff Scheduled for June 1, 2023
Legendary NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are set to embark on a historic mission, becoming the first crew to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft. The launch is scheduled for 12:25 PM EDT (16:25 GMT) on Saturday, June 1, 2023, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
This mission marks a significant milestone in the development of Boeing's Starliner, which is designed to transport astronauts to and from the ISS as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. After launch, the Starliner will spend about 24 hours in orbit before docking with the space station, where Wilmore and Williams will join the Expedition 68 crew.
Wilmore, a retired Navy captain, and Williams, a retired astronaut, both have extensive experience in space. Wilmore has flown two previous missions to the ISS, while Williams holds the record for the longest spacewalks by a female astronaut. Their experience will be invaluable as they test the Starliner's systems and prepare for future operational missions.
The launch of the Starliner is a major step forward for NASA's plans to return astronauts to the Moon and Mars. The spacecraft's successful development will provide the agency with an additional option for crew transportation to the ISS, enhancing its ability to conduct research and maintain a human presence in low Earth orbit.
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