Boeing’s Starliner set to launch first crewed flight into space Saturday

SUMMARY

Boeing's Starliner program is gearing up for its first crewed mission this weekend, approved by both NASA and Boeing, aiming to launch two NASA astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). The spacecraft, carrying Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita Williams, will ride atop an Atlas V rocket. Previous technical issues led to flight postponements earlier this month, with valve problems and a propellant leak causing delays. Despite challenges, Boeing remains optimistic, with backup launch opportunities scheduled. If successful, the crew will spend a week at the ISS before returning, marking a significant milestone for Boeing's decade-long Starliner development and providing NASA with an additional option for crewed missions to the ISS, potentially increasing competition with SpaceX.