What to know about Boeing's first spaceflight carrying NASA astronauts
Boeing has finally launched NASA astronauts to the International Space Station after years of stumbles and delays
By Marcia Dunn
Published - Jun 05, 2024, 02:29 PM ET
Last Updated - Jun 05, 2024, 02:29 PM EDT
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — After years of stumbles and delays, Boeing has finally launched astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA.
It’s the first flight of Boeing’s Starliner capsule with a crew on board, a pair of NASA pilots who will check out the spacecraft during the test drive and a weeklong stay at the space station.
NASA turned to U.S. companies for astronaut rides after the space shuttles were retired. Elon Musk's SpaceX has made nine taxi trips for NASA since 2020, while Boeing has managed only a pair of empty test flights.
Provided this tryout goes well, NASA will alternate between Boeing and SpaceX to get astronauts to and from the space station.
