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Boeing Prepares Starliner Spacecraft for Launch
Countdown Begins for Critical NASA Mission
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is preparing for its first crewed mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The spacecraft will launch on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket on August 3 at 12:25 p.m. ET from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
45-Day Countdown Underway
The launch campaign for Starliner began 45 days before liftoff with United Launch Alliance stacking an Atlas V at Space Launch Complex 41. The Starliner spacecraft was then placed on top of the rocket. The spacecraft will now undergo a series of tests and checkouts to ensure it is ready for launch.
Critical Test Flight
This mission is a critical test flight for Boeing. The Starliner spacecraft must successfully dock with the ISS and return safely to Earth in order to prove that it is ready to carry astronauts. Boeing has already launched two uncrewed test flights of Starliner, but this will be the first time that the spacecraft will carry humans.
Astronaut Mission Planned
If the Starliner test flight is successful, Boeing will then be able to launch its first astronaut mission to the ISS. This mission is currently scheduled for later this year. The Starliner spacecraft will be used to transport astronauts to and from the ISS, providing NASA with a second commercial option for crew transportation.
The successful launch and return of the Starliner spacecraft will be a major milestone for Boeing and NASA. It will pave the way for regular astronaut missions to the ISS, and it will help to ensure that the United States maintains its leadership in space exploration.
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