December 23, 2024

NASA Astronauts Enter Quarantine As Boeing Starliner Test Flight Approaches

An artists illustration of Boeings CST-100 Starliner spacecraft in orbit. Credit: BoeingNASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams remain in pre-flight quarantine ahead of their historical launch aboard Boeings Starliner spacecraft on May 6, from Cape Canaveral. They will first remain at NASAs Johnson Space Center and then at Kennedy Space Center till launch day.NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who are set to release to the International Space Station on Monday, May 6, went into pre-flight quarantine in preparation for the firms Boeing Crew Flight Test mission.Flight team health stabilization is a basic process ahead of any human spaceflight mission to guarantee the health and wellness of the team prior to liftoff, along with prevent illness of the astronauts at the spaceport station. Throughout quarantine, astronaut contact is restricted, and many interactions are remote– although household and some launch employee likewise might remain in quarantine or cleared before communicating with the crew.The authorities crew picture for NASAs Boeing Crew Flight Test. Left is Suni Williams, who will serve as the pilot, and to the right is Barry “Butch” Wilmore, spacecraft commander. Credit: NASAPreparations for Historic FlightWilmore and Williams will release aboard Boeings Starliner spacecraft on a ULA (United Launch Alliance) Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida as part of NASAs Commercial Crew Program. The duo will make history as the first people to fly on the Starliner spacecraft.Wilmore and Williams will quarantine at NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston before traveling to the agencys Kennedy Space Center in Florida no earlier than Thursday, April 25, where theyll remain in quarantine until launch.Final Review and Launch DetailsMeanwhile, teams also are getting ready for the Flight Test Readiness Review, which will take location over the course of 2 days– Wednesday, April 24, and April 25. That review brings together groups from NASA, Boeing, ULA, and its worldwide partners to verify objective readiness including all systems, centers, and teams that will support the end-to-end test of the Starliner.Following an effective flight test, NASA will begin certifying the Starliner system for routine crew rotation objectives to spaceport station for the agency.Launch is scheduled no earlier than 10:34 p.m. EDT on May 6.