Starliner Spacecraft Launched Successfully Wednesday Morning

news image
Special Stories
5 Jun 2024 5:00 PM

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft approaches the International Space Station on May 20, 2022. Credit: NASA

Boeing's Starliner Crewest test flight launched successfully this morning at 10:52 AM EST! Two U.S. Astronauts - Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams are now racing to "catch up" to the ISS where they will dock on Thursday.

Boeing's Starliner Crewed test flight is launching from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Starliner was originally supposed to launch on Monday, May 6th but was delayed due to a mechanical issue. The most recent attempt to launch on June 1 was aborted 4 minutes to launch due to an issue with computers. According to Boeing, "Starliner teams [were] working to resolve a small helium leak detected in the spacecraft’s service module traced to a flange on a single reaction control system thruster. Helium is used in spacecraft thruster systems to allow the thrusters to fire and is not combustible or toxic." This mission is the second of the Boeing-NASA contract which included one uncrewed mission in May 2022, this first test crew mission and six more trips to the ISS.

The launch was then rescheduled for May 10th and then May 17th but crews needed additional time to test the spacecraft and ensure it was safe. The Starliner will launch carrying two astronauts - Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams - to the International Space Station, now set for 4:43 PM ET on Tuesday, May 21st. The Atlas IV rocket and Starliner remain on the launchpad awaiting their next opportunity to launch. According to Boeing, "About 15 minutes after launch, Atlas' Centaur upper stage shuts down, sending Starliner on its way to the International Space Station."

So how is the forecasting looking for launch? Skies are clear around Cape Canaveral so the weather won't be a huge interrupter for the launch. For Starliner to launch the weather must have winds below 31 mph, no thunderstorms or lightning in the landing area or waves above 13.1 feet. Right now, none of that is in the forecast.

All Weather News
More
Significant Moisture Increases Flooding Threat for the Southwest This Week

Significant Moisture Increases Flooding Threat for the Southwest This Week

An area of low pressure in the Gulf of Califo

17 Sep 2026 7:15 PM
Topics: Pacific Stays Active, Watching One Wave in the Atlantic

Topics: Pacific Stays Active, Watching One Wave in the Atlantic

The Pacific Ocean has been incredibly active

17 Sep 2026 7:10 PM
Rounds of Storms Increase the Flood Threat in the Midwest

Rounds of Storms Increase the Flood Threat in the Midwest

It's no secret that the Midwest has been the

17 Sep 2026 11:05 AM
Summer Heat Holds it's Grip on the South

Summer Heat Holds it's Grip on the South

No surprise here: More records were broken ac

17 Sep 2026 8:30 AM
No Hurricanes Yet in the Atlantic, A New Record

No Hurricanes Yet in the Atlantic, A New Record

For the first time in the satellite era (sinc

17 Sep 2026 8:00 AM
Active Pattern Takes Shape Across the Plains

Active Pattern Takes Shape Across the Plains

Monday proved to be an active severe weather

15 Sep 2026 10:00 AM
Storms Winding Down Across Northeast

Storms Winding Down Across Northeast

WHAT TO EXPECT Record rainfall has fallen acr

14 Sep 2026 1:10 AM