BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore joined a news conference Wednesday to discuss the upcoming crewed flight test of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
The Boeing Crew Flight Test is currently targeting takeoff at 10:34 p.m. Monday, May 6, from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, according to NASA. The flight test seeks to use Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft to take Williams and Wilmore to the International Space Station for about a week in hopes that NASA then certifies Starliner for rotational missions as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program, much like has already happened with SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft.
Williams and Wilmore arrived at KSC the week prior in a T-38 jet, touching down April 25 on a runway once used to land space shuttles.
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The Starliner capsule’s first crewed flight test has been delayed for nearly a year as Boeing grapples with continued technical issues. The project is running years behind schedule.
“It almost feels unreal. Like we’ve had a couple of launch dates and we’ve been like, ‘OK, we’re ready to go.’” Williams said.
Wilmore spoke about the honor that comes along with being able to test ant certify a new spacecraft.
“The first word that comes to my mind is humbled. It’s just just the opportunity that the stars aligned and they put us in this position. It’s a very humble position to be in. Grateful,” Wilmore said. “And I think back to people like you know, John Young, who flew STS-1 the first time and that was the first on the first flight of the Gemini as well.”
Given the delays so far issued for the mission, News 6′s James Sparvero asked the astronauts why they believe the Boeing-built spacecraft is as safe as possible.
“We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t ready. We are ready. The spacecraft’s ready and the teams are ready, and that’s the message that I think you would expect to hear at this point, else we wouldn’t be here,” Wilmore said.
Williams’ reply included many thanks to her training team, which she said has been working diligently to keep everyone frosty. She described how recent simulations turned out fine despite having “the kitchen sink essentially thrown at us,” lending to her trust.
“I have all the confidence in not only our capabilities, the spacecraft capabilities, but also our mission control team who’s ready for the challenge, and they’re up for it and they’re getting ready back in Houston,” Williams said.
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