The arrival of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft at the International Space Station (ISS) took place this Thursday (6) at around 2:30 pm (Brasília time). The vehicle made its first manned launch on Wednesday (5) after a series of postponements.
The docking was broadcast live on NASA’s (United States Space Agency) YouTube channel to the whole world, who were able to follow the arrival of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams.
See what the coupling moment was like in the video below.
Docking confirmed!@BoeingSpace‘s #Starliner docked to the forward-facing port of the @Space_Station‘s Harmony module at 1:34pm ET (1734 UTC). @NASA_Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will soon make their way into the orbital laboratory, where they’ll spend about a week. pic.twitter.com/BtcXA4Vq4t
— NASA (@NASA) June 6, 2024
In total, Starliner is transporting around 344 kg of cargo to the ISS. In addition to a replacement pump that will help keep the station’s closed water loop flowing, the crew is bringing food, clothing, medical supplies, exercise equipment, supplies and tools to the vehicle, as well as photography and media equipment.
See photos of Boeing’s Starliner rocket
-
1 in 8
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft during launch for manned flight on June 5, 2024
Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images -
two in 8
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft during launch for manned flight on June 5, 2024
Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images -
3 in 8
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft preparing for launch on Tuesday, June 5, 2024
Credit: Reproduction/ULA -
4 in 8
The Starliner space vehicle carries two NASA astronauts for a stay of approximately one week at the International Space Station; in photo, Butch Wilmore (left) and Suni Williams
Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky -
5 in 8
Starliner spacecraft preparing for flight at the US Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral (Florida)
Credit: Joel Kowsky/NASA via Getty Images -
6 in 8
Starliner spacecraft preparing for flight at the US Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral (Florida)
Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images -
7 in 8
Starliner spacecraft preparing for flight at the US Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral (Florida)
Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images -
8 in 8
Starliner spacecraft preparing for flight at the US Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral (Florida)
Credit: Joel Kowsky/NASA via Getty Images
The mission launched Wednesday, known as the Crew Flight Test, represented the culmination of Boeing’s efforts to develop a spacecraft capable of rivaling SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule and expanding the United States’ options for carrying astronauts to the space station under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The North American federal agency’s initiative aims to foster collaboration with private industry partners.
