Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has finally launched into space this evening aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, marking a significant milestone for both her career and Boeing’s space endeavours. The successful launch came after two previous attempts were aborted due to technical issues.
The two failed attempts
The initial attempt on May 7, 2024, was postponed hours before liftoff due to a technical glitch involving a valve. According to NASA, the oxygen relief valve on the Atlas V rocket’s Centaur second stage was suspect, necessitating its removal and replacement. Further, a small helium leak in the spacecraft’s service module required additional assessments and repairs.
The second attempt on June 1, 2024, was scrubbed less than four minutes before liftoff when one of the ground computers flagged a technical issue in the rocket. The United Launch Alliance (ULA) subsequently replaced the faulty computer parts that had delayed the mission.
Starliner to the stars! ✨
At 10:52am ET, @BoeingSpace #Starliner lifted off on a @ULALaunch Atlas V for the first time with @NASA_Astronauts aboard. This Crew Flight Test aims to certify the spacecraft for routine space travel to and from the @Space_Station. pic.twitter.com/WDQKOrE5B6
— NASA (@NASA) June 5, 2024
The one that was successful
Despite these setbacks, the third attempt was successful, with NASA and Boeing making every effort to ensure a safe flight. This launch is particularly noteworthy as it marks the maiden crewed mission of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which has faced delays and budget overruns.
Live: Watch the #Starliner Crew Flight Test launch from @ulalaunch Space Launch Complex-41. Liftoff is scheduled for 10:52 a.m. ET.
Starliner is headed to the @Space_Station with @NASA_Astronauts spacecraft commander Butch Wilmore and pilot @Astro_Suni. https://t.co/97HcvjYVrn
— Boeing Space (@BoeingSpace) June 5, 2024
NASA awarded Boeing a $4.2 billion contract in 2014 to develop the spacecraft, but it has taken ten years to achieve a successful human space flight. In contrast, SpaceX, which received a similar contract for $2.6 billion, has been successfully ferrying astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) with its Crew Dragon module.
Who is Sunita Williams
Sunita Williams, a veteran astronaut, has already spent 322 days in space and held the record for the most spacewalk hours by a woman before Peggy Whitson surpassed her. This mission is her third space journey, making her the first woman to fly on a maiden crewed mission of a new space shuttle. Williams has been a role model for women aspiring to become astronauts and has been actively involved in designing the Starliner, working closely with NASA and Boeing engineers.
Reflecting on her past missions, Sunita Williams admitted to feeling a bit nervous but expressed confidence in flying the new spacecraft. “When I reach the International Space Station, it will be like going back home,” she said.
Sunita William’s lucky charm
On her previous flights, she carried a “lucky charm” – an idol of Lord Ganesh and a copy of the Bhagwad Gita. It remains to be seen if she has carried them on this mission as well.
Sunita Williams’s first space voyage was from December 9, 2006, to June 22, 2007, during which she set a record for women with four spacewalks totalling 29 hours and 17 minutes. Her successful launch today not only adds another chapter to her illustrious career but also marks a new era for Boeing’s space programme.
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