📷 Image Credits: – Force Magazine
The Boeing Starliner spacecraft successfully docked at the International Space Station after encountering thruster trouble during its journey. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were aboard for this first test flight with astronauts, experiencing some delays due to the thruster issues. Docking culminated after more than a day of drama, with the crews’ arrival in the Indian Ocean. The astronauts will remain at the space station for at least eight days before returning to the western U.S. The crew’s arrival is crucial for fixing the space station’s urine processor assembly, which malfunctioned earlier. Once back on Earth, the astronauts will use the same Starliner capsule and parachutes for landing across the southwestern United States. The mission aims to test various aspects of Starliner’s capabilities, including manual piloting and ‘safe haven’ features for the space station crew. Despite some setbacks, this successful docking marks a significant milestone for Boeing’s Starliner program and NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, expanding options for transporting astronauts to the ISS. With this mission, NASA moves closer to certifying Starliner for routine operations to the space station, further enhancing U.S. capabilities in space exploration.
