Mission Overview
The Boeing Crew Flight Test (Boe-CFT) was the inaugural crewed mission of Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft. Launched on June 5, 2024, this mission aimed to demonstrate Starliner's capabilities in transporting astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS) as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. The mission was initially planned for a short duration but was extended due to technical challenges encountered during the flight.
Key Details
- Launch Date: June 5, 2024, 14:52:15 UTC
- Launch Vehicle: Atlas V N22
- Launch Site: Space Launch Complex 41 (SLC-41), Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, USA
- Docking Date: June 6, 2024, 17:34 UTC
- Undocking Date: September 6, 2024, 22:04 UTC
- Landing Date: September 7, 2024, 04:01:35 UTC
- Mission Duration: Approximately 94 days
- Crew Size: 2 astronauts
Crew
- Commander: Barry E. Wilmore (NASA)
- Pilot: Sunita Williams (NASA)
Mission Highlights
- Launch and Docking: The Atlas V N22 rocket successfully launched the Starliner spacecraft on June 5, 2024. Starliner autonomously docked with the ISS on June 6, 2024, marking a significant milestone for Boeing and NASA's Commercial Crew Program.
- Extended Mission Duration: Originally planned as a short-duration mission, Boe-CFT was extended due to technical issues with Starliner's thrusters and helium leaks. These challenges necessitated an extended stay aboard the ISS for the crew while solutions were developed and implemented.
- Technical Challenges: During the mission, Starliner experienced thruster malfunctions and helium leaks, prompting thorough investigations and delaying the spacecraft's return to Earth. These issues underscored the complexities of spaceflight and the importance of rigorous testing and contingency planning.
- Crew Return: Due to the identified issues with Starliner, NASA decided it was safer for the crew to return to Earth aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon. Astronauts Wilmore and Williams departed the ISS on March 18, 2025, as part of the Crew-9 mission, and safely landed later that day.
- Starliner Uncrewed Return: Following extensive testing and troubleshooting, Starliner was commanded to undock from the ISS without crew on September 6, 2024, and successfully landed at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico on September 7, 2024. This uncrewed return allowed engineers to analyze the spacecraft's performance and address the encountered issues.
Outcomes
The Boe-CFT mission provided critical data on Starliner's performance in real-world conditions, highlighting areas requiring improvement before regular crewed missions. Despite the challenges, the mission contributed valuable insights into spacecraft operations, safety protocols, and the resilience of astronauts in adapting to unforeseen circumstances. The experiences from Boe-CFT have informed subsequent efforts to certify Starliner for routine crewed flights, advancing NASA's goals for commercial partnerships in human spaceflight.
