Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, along with Butch Wilmore, has made history by becoming the first to fly aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft in its first-ever crewed mission. The 59-year-old Williams became the first woman to fly on the maiden mission of a new human-rated spacecraft.
The crew launched aboard the United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This historic flight comes after several delays due to technical issues, including a helium leak and a problem with the ground power supply at ULA. This third attempt saw favorable weather conditions, 90 percent suitable for the launch.
Butch Wilmore, 61, is commanding the flight, while Sunita Williams is piloting it. The mission involves the duo staying at the International Space Station (ISS) for about a week before returning to Earth in the reusable crew capsule. The Starliner mission is crucial for NASA’s future endeavors, aiming to carry astronauts and cargo for missions to low Earth orbit and beyond.
This achievement is significant for space exploration, marking the operational debut of the Starliner spacecraft and setting the stage for future missions that will expand human presence in space.
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