Boeing’s Starliner Set for June Launch with Indian-Origin Astronaut Sunita Williams on Board
Image Source: The Indian Express
NASA has announced a new launch window for Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, which will carry its first crew, including Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams. The mission is now scheduled to launch between June 1 and June 5, after a technical glitch caused a delay earlier this month.
Williams, 58, who has been on two previous spacewalks, will be making her third journey in space. Fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore will join her on this important test flight to the International Space Station (ISS). An important milestone in Boeing’s adopted space strategy, the mission represents an important step in the development of a private crew vehicle for the ISS.
“Mission managers from NASA, Boeing, and ULA (United Launch Alliance) are discussing the option of deploying the company’s Boeing Crew Flight Test to the International Space Station on June 1, 2, 5, and 6, respectively,” NASA said in a statement. Potential launch opportunities were discussed.
This launch window comes after a May 6 attempt was aborted due to a technical issue identified moments before take-off. A small helium leak was detected in the spacecraft’s service module, causing mission managers to reconsider the spacecraft’s performance and redundancy. Work is underway to resolve the issue, and NASA is monitoring Delta Agency flight test readiness to ensure that all concerns are addressed before the next launch attempt.
Despite the setbacks, Williams and Wilmore have remained focused, continuing their preparations in Starliner simulators. Both astronauts are currently in quarantine and will travel to NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre closer to the revised launch date.
If this mission is successful, it would join Boeing as the second private company capable of transporting astronauts to and from the ISS. This capability has become a long-term goal for NASA, which is trying to get crews to the space station, even if a vehicle encounters technical issues. The upcoming flight will be Boeing’s second mission to the ISS and third overall test of the Starliner. The first unscrewed Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) mission was completed in May 2022. Boeing also successfully conducted a pad abort demonstration in November 2019.
Both SpaceX and Boeing built their spacecraft under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which aims to achieve low-cost spaceflight through partnerships with private companies. The goal is to have both Crew Dragon and Starliner operational at the same time, providing redundancy and flexibility for the crews.
A highly skilled astronaut, Sunita Williams received her commission as a United States Navy Ensign from the United States Naval Academy in May 1987. She was selected as an astronaut by NASA in 1998. Williams has participated in two space missions, Expeditions 14/15 and 32/33. In Campaign 33, she served as lieutenant colonel. Aboard the ISS, Williams set a world record for women in four spacewalks of 29 hours and 17 minutes, which was later surpassed by astronaut Peggy Whitson in 2008. Williams spent four months researching and investigating the Orbital Laboratory.
Born in Euclid, Ohio, Williams is the daughter of Indian-American neuroanatomist Deepak Pandya and Slovene-American Ursuline Bonnie (Zalokar) Pandya. She holds a degree in physical science from the US Naval Academy and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the Florida Institute of Technology.
The upcoming Starliner mission not only represents a major technological breakthrough, it is a symbol of international cooperation, and the conditions that contribute to the exploration of space. Williams’ involvement highlights the global nature of space missions and the rich history of contributions from astronauts of different backgrounds.
As NASA, Boeing, and ULA work to launch it, the world looks on with anticipation. If the mission is successful, it will be a turning point for Boeing’s space efforts and pave the way for a new era of commercial space travel.
Sources:
Starliner – https://www.space.com/19367-boeing-cst-100.html
ISS- https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-station/
Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) – https://blogs.nasa.gov/oft-2/
Crew Dragon and Starliner operational – https://www.space.com/nasa-boeing-starliner-spacex-dragon-iss-astronaut-mission-redundancy
SpaceX – https://www.space.com/18853-spacex.html
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