Boeing docks crew capsule to space station in test do-over

After years of false starts, Boeing was able to pull up and park its astronauts at the International Space Station for the first time on Friday.

NASA finally realized its long-held desire to have crew capsule from competing U.S. companies flying to the space station with Starliners arrival.

The company has a good start. Three years ago, Musk's company launched 18 astronauts to the space station, as well as tourists.

NASA's Bob Hines said that today marks a great milestone.

The only other time Boeing's Starliner flew in space, it ended up in the wrong place.

The overhauled craft docked at the station 25 hours after it was launched. The rendezvous went off without a hitch despite the failure of a few thrusters.

Boeing could be ready to launch its first crew by the end of the year if the rest of Starliners mission goes well. The astronauts likely to serve on the first Starliner crew joined Boeing and NASA flight controllers in Houston as the action unfolded nearly 270 miles up.

NASA wants more than one taxi service in Florida. The importance of having two types of crew capsule is underscored by the long road that Boeing has taken with Starliner. After the shuttle program ended, astronauts were stuck on Russian rockets.

The first Starliner test flight was plagued by software errors that cut the mission short and could have been fatal. When the new capsule was to be launched last summer, the valves were not working. Boeing racked up nearly $600 million in do-over costs.

Boeing ground controllers practiced maneuvering the capsule and tested its robotic vision system before letting Starliner get close to the space station. Boeing said that everything checked out well except for a cooling loop and four failed thrusters. The capsule held a steady temperature and had lots of other equipment for steering.

Boeing flight controllers in Houston were able to see the space station through the capsule's cameras once Starliner was within 10 miles of the space station. Can you see us?

There was no response from Starliner. The commander's seat was once again occupied by a mannequin called Rosie the Rocketeer, a space-age version of World War II's Rosie the Riveter.

The gleaming white-with-blue-trim capsule hovered 33 feet (10 meters) from the station for close to two hours as flight controllers adjusted its docking ring and ensured everything else was in order. When the green light came, Starliner closed the gap in four minutes, eliciting cheers from the control center. Applause erupted when the latches were secured.

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Mark Nappi, vice president and director of Boeing's commercial crew program, said that the last 48 hours have been a barnstorm.

It was a double celebration for NASA&s commercial crew program director Steve Stich, who turned 57 Friday.

The astronauts on the space station will pack up groceries and gear from Starliner. Starliner will attempt to land in New Mexico next Wednesday, unlike the Dragon capsule that did the same.

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