NASA and Boeing Target June 5 for Starliner's First Crewed Flight
October 13, 2025
NASA and Boeing target June 5 for Starliner's historic first crewed flight to the ISS.
Following a last-minute launch scrub on June 1, NASA and Boeing are now targeting Wednesday, June 5, for the historic first crewed flight of the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft. This pivotal mission, known as the Crew Flight Test (CFT), will carry NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station (ISS), marking a critical step in certifying a second independent US vehicle for human spaceflight.
Analysis of the June 1 Launch Abort
The initial launch attempt was automatically halted at T-3 minutes and 50 seconds by the ground launch sequencer. Mission controllers identified an issue with a single ground power supply within one of the United Launch Alliance (ULA) computer racks. This power unit provides voltage to the computer cards responsible for managing crucial countdown operations. Teams successfully replaced the chassis containing the faulty unit, clearing the way for the next launch attempt.
Crew Flight Test: Mission Objectives
The primary objective of the CFT mission is to conduct a comprehensive, end-to-end test of the Starliner system in a crewed configuration. This includes validating the performance of the ULA Atlas V rocket, the Starliner spacecraft's launch and ascent, rendezvous and docking procedures with the ISS, and its atmospheric reentry and landing capabilities. Astronauts Wilmore and Williams will perform manual flight maneuvers and test various onboard systems during the approximately one-week stay at the orbiting laboratory.
- Crew: NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore (Commander) and Suni Williams (Pilot).
- Launch Vehicle: United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket.
- Destination: International Space Station (ISS).
- Mission Goal: Final certification for NASA's Commercial Crew Program.
Strategic Importance for NASA and Human Spaceflight
Successful certification of Starliner is paramount for NASA. It will provide redundant, reliable access to the ISS from American soil, a key goal of the Commercial Crew Program. With two independent crew transportation systems—Boeing's Starliner and SpaceX's Crew Dragon—NASA ensures continuous mission capability and crew safety, mitigating risks associated with relying on a single provider.
Starliner's first crewed flight is a critical milestone for the future of human spaceflight. Redundancy is essential for the robustness of our operations on the International Space Station and our long-term goals in low-Earth orbit.
New Launch Attempt Details
The next launch opportunity is scheduled for 10:52 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, June 5, from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Teams will continue to analyze data and monitor systems to ensure all conditions are nominal for a successful launch. Successful completion of the CFT will pave the way for Starliner to begin regular operational crew rotation missions to the ISS.
NASA and Boeing Target June 5 for Starliner's First Crewed Flight - FAQs
The CFT is the inaugural crewed mission for Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. Its purpose is to test and validate all systems, from launch to landing, to certify the vehicle for regular astronaut transportation to the International Space Station under NASA's Commercial Crew Program.
The launch was automatically aborted less than four minutes before liftoff due to a failure in a single ground launch sequencer power supply. This system is crucial for controlling the final moments of the countdown. The faulty hardware has since been replaced.
The crew consists of two veteran NASA astronauts: Barry "Butch" Wilmore, serving as the mission commander, and Sunita "Suni" Williams, serving as the pilot. Both have extensive experience from previous spaceflights aboard the Space Shuttle and Soyuz.
Certifying a second commercial crew vehicle like Starliner, alongside SpaceX's Crew Dragon, provides NASA with critical redundancy. This ensures the U.S. has continuous, safe, and reliable access to the International Space Station, even if one of the systems is temporarily unavailable.