Atlas V Launches Starliner Crew Flight Test

NASA's Boeing Crew Flight Test

On May 19, 2022, a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket successfully launched Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft on its uncrewed Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission. The CFT is the final major test flight before Starliner can begin carrying astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS) as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program.

A Historic Launch

This launch marks the first time that Boeing's Starliner and ULA's Atlas V rocket have flown together. It is also the first time that a U.S.-built spacecraft has launched on an Atlas V rocket since 2002. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are assigned to fly on Starliner's first crewed mission, which is scheduled for later this year.

Conclusion

The successful launch of the CFT is a major milestone for Boeing and NASA. It brings the companies one step closer to resuming crewed spaceflight from U.S. soil. The CFT will provide valuable data on the performance of Starliner and the Atlas V rocket, and it will help to ensure the safety of future astronauts who will fly on these vehicles.