Veteran astronaut Sunita Williams is poised to make history as part of the first-ever crewed flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. This mission marks a significant milestone for Boeing’s commercial space endeavors. Also, this is Sunita Williams’ third trip to the International Space Station (ISS).
Liftoff is scheduled for May 6th aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral. Sunita Williams will serve as the pilot alongside commander Butch Wilmore for this week-long mission, designated as the Boeing Crew Flight Test (CFT).
This isn’t Sunita Williams’ first time breaking barriers. Notably, she holds the record for the second-highest total cumulative spacewalk time by a female astronaut. During her previous missions to the ISS, she participated in several spacewalks and contributed significantly to scientific research aboard the orbiting laboratory.
The CFT mission is crucial for Boeing as it aims to demonstrate the Starliner’s capabilities for future NASA astronaut missions to the ISS. A successful mission would pave the way for regular crewed flights using Boeing’s spacecraft, offering redundancy alongside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule.
Details of Sunita Williams’ Third ISS Mission:
- Launch Vehicle: United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket
- Spacecraft: Boeing Starliner
- Mission Name: Boeing Crew Flight Test (CFT)
- Launch Date: May 6, 2024
- Mission Duration: Approximately one week
- Destination: International Space Station (ISS)
- Crew:
- Commander: Butch Wilmore
- Pilot: Sunita Williams
This upcoming mission signifies a new chapter in human spaceflight and a testament to her remarkable career. Her experience and expertise will be invaluable as Boeing ushers in a new era of commercial space travel.
