After years of delays and narrowly avoiding a catastrophe during its inaugural launch, Boeing's second attempt to dock its Starliner with the International Space Station is going pretty well.
Despite two of the capsule's thrusters failing after last week's launch, Starliner has been able to complete several mission objectives while docked to the station.
The spacecraft has been stuck in development hell for a long time. If it makes its journey back down to Earth in one piece, the rendezvous with the space station could indicate brighter days ahead.
According to a recent update, the spacecraft connected to the space station's computer systems and pressurized the capsule to allow crew members to unload cargo.
Experts say the OFT-2 mission is going well.
A superb mission so far, some issues are to be expected given the nature of the flight.
The mission is not over yet. Starliner is closing its hatches and getting ready to leave the station on Wednesday to make its fiery ascent through the Earth's atmosphere.
Ground teams are already waiting to recover the capsule, which is scheduled to land in New Mexico on Wednesday evening.
Is Boeing finally able to focus on ferrying astronauts to the space station, after all, Starliner's past has been troublesome? We will likely hear more from NASA later this summer when they say when the capsule's first crewed mission will take place.
If Boeing can become a reliable shuttle to and from the station, that will make it a much more formidable competitor to Musk.
The Boeing Starliner is in the air after two engines fail.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
