Sunita Williams to join Boeing Starliner’s maiden crewed mission

| Updated: 06 May, 2024 6:47 pm IST

NEW DELHI: Boeing’s Starliner is set to embark on its first crewed mission, marking a significant milestone in the field of space exploration. The mission, which aims to rival SpaceX’s success, will have astronaut Sunita Williams onboard.

Sunita Williams, a seasoned astronaut with experience on multiple space missions, will be part of the crew that will travel aboard the Starliner. This mission represents a critical step for Boeing as it seeks to establish itself as a major player in the burgeoning field of commercial space travel.

The Starliner mission comes in the wake of SpaceX’s successful crewed missions, which have set a high bar in the realm of private space travel. With this mission, Boeing aims to demonstrate that it can also safely and effectively carry humans to space.

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The Boeing Starliner, also known as CST-100, is a next-generation space capsule developed in collaboration with NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The purpose of the Starliner’s mission is to transport people to and from low-Earth orbit. It is designed to accommodate seven passengers, or a mix of crew and cargo, for missions to low-Earth orbit. For NASA service missions to the International Space Station (ISS), it will carry up to four NASA-sponsored crew members and time-critical scientific research. The Starliner is setting the foundation for commercial passenger spaceflight services to and from low-Earth orbit.

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The launch date and other mission details are yet to be announced. The world eagerly awaits this historic mission, which could potentially reshape the landscape of space travel and exploration.

As for the crew members of the Starliner’s mission, astronaut Sunita Williams is confirmed to be onboard. Other crew members include NASA astronauts Josh Cassada and Jeanette Epps. Barry “Butch” Wilmore is also mentioned as one of the NASA astronauts flying the commercial crew mission. These astronauts bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the mission, ensuring its success.

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