by After years of delays, Boeing is finally ready to launch its first Starliner astronaut mission for NASA on a test flight to the International Space Station on May 6, and if you’re hoping to watch the launch online, you’ll have to. know when to tune in.
But don’t worry, space fans. We have you covered. Currently, Boeing’s first Starliner to carry astronauts is scheduled to launch into orbit on Monday at 10:34pm EDT (0234 May 7 GMT) atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. The mission will send NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams on a weeklong test flight to the space station, on a shakedown cruise Boeing calls Crew Flight Test, or CFT. You can follow the mission with our Starliner live updates page and watch the launch live on Monday.
Related: 1st Boeing Starliner astronaut flight: Live updates
If successful, Boeing’s Starliner will send the astronauts to the space station, dock on Wednesday (May 8) and return to Earth up to eight days later to land in the desert southwest of the United States (uncrewed test flights landed formerly at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico). NASA has selected Boeing’s Starliner as one of two astronaut taxis for space station flights – the other being SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft – but this CFT test flight is long overdue, and follows two uncrewed Starliner flights, which failed test flight in December 2019 and a a successful one in May 2022.
“This will give us those additional capabilities because we always look for backup,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson told reporters in a press conference Friday (May 3). On Friday, Boeing and NASA agreed that Starliner is ready to carry its first astronauts and gave the go-ahead for launch, so here’s when and how to watch it fly on May 6.
What time is Boeing’s CFT Starliner being launched?
Currently, Boeing’s Starliner CFT is scheduled to launch to the ISS onward Monday (May 6) at 10:34pm EDT (0234 May 7 GMT) from Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. There is a 95% chance of good weather at the time of launch, according to Brian Cizek, launch weather officer for the 45th Weather Squadron at the Space Force station.
Boeing has three backup opportunities to launch the CFT mission, on May 7th, May 10th and May 11th. The weather forecast is expected to remain pristine for at least three days on May 7, which also has a 95% chance of good weather. , Cizek said during a press conference on Friday.
Related: Here’s what to expect on the first Boeing Starliner astronaut test flight
Can I watch the Boeing Starliner astronaut launch?
Yes, you can watch Boeing’s Starliner CFT launch and subsequent mission events live in a series of webcasts. On launch day, NASA TV will provide a live stream of the launch May 6 starting at 6:30pm EDT (2230 GMT) on YouTube, NASA+ and its social media channels. The webcast will run continuously through liftoff and will end just after Starliner enters Earth orbit shortly after launch. Space.com will simulcast NASA’s live stream on this page and you will be able to watch it on our webcast page.
Boeing will host its own Starliner launch live stream, likely using NASA’s broadcast, at a Starliner website launched. ULA will too hosted his own Starliner launch webcast on his own Atlas V mission website.
However, NASA will not end its launch webcasts there. The space agency will hold a press conference soon Tuesday, May 7, at 12 a.m. EDT (0400 GMT) to discuss the results of the Starliner launch. That press conference will be led by NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, a former astronaut and space shuttle commander, and will be streamed live on NASA TV and NASA’s YouTube channel. Live stream events are also planned for docks and crew arrivals Wednesday (8 May).
What if the Boeing Starliner CFT astronaut flight can’t be launched on May 6?
RELATED STORIES:
— Boeing’s 1st Starliner crew to ride Astrovan II to the launch pad
— Boeing’s Starliner is ready to fly astronauts after years of delays
— Meet the crew launching the 1st Boeing Starliner astronaut flight
If the Boeing Starliner CFT mission cannot be launched on May 6, the company and its launch partner United Launch Alliance have several options.
Currently, Boeing, ULA and NASA have four opportunities to launch a CFT mission, one at a time May 6, May 7, May 10 and May 11. If Starliner is unable to launch on the night of May 6, Boeing and its partners could make another attempt as soon as possible. Tuesday night, May 7at 10:11 pm EDT (0211 GMT)depending on the nature of the issue, said NASA’s Steve Stitch,
If a May 7 launch is not possible, Boeing could try to launch Starliner to the ISS on Friday, May 10, or Saturday, May 11. A Launched May 10 would be scheduled for 9 pm EDT (0100 May 11 GMT)and a Launched May 11 happen at 8:38pm EDT (1238 GMT)NASA officials said.
