Boeing’s Starliner successfully docked at the ISS space station for the first time on Thursday evening, marking a significant milestone in the aviation industry. The spaceship took two NASA astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, to the International Space Station.
The docking was initially delayed due to malfunctions in the capsule’s steering nozzles, but most of the issues were successfully repaired, allowing the Starliner to approach the space station. The astronauts spent over a week at the station, where they conducted various tests and practiced using different equipment.
The Starliner capsule, designed to carry seven passengers, is set to undergo its final test when it returns to Earth. The astronauts will test manual control of the ship, as well as rescue procedures, which will be valuable for future Starliner missions.
The return journey of the Starliner will involve re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, and engineers assure that a small error in control will not hinder the return. The capsule is expected to land in New Mexico, chosen based on weather conditions.
The successful docking of the Starliner at the ISS marks a significant achievement for Boeing and the future of space exploration. This mission paves the way for future manned flights aboard the Starliner and demonstrates the capabilities of both the spacecraft and the astronauts onboard.