Boeing Starliner launch recap: Live updates from the June 5 crewed launch from Cape Canaveral (2024)

Launch recap: Scroll down to review live coverage of the historic Wednesday, June 5, liftoff of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Original story: History in the making: Welcome to FLORIDA TODAY Space Team live coverage of today's 10:52 a.m. EDT long-awaited launch of the Boeing Starliner spacecraft on its inaugural NASA crewed mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

After two previous Starliner launch attempts got scrubbed, NASA astronautsButch WilmoreandSuni Williams hope to take flight this morning from Launch Complex 41 en route to dock with the International Space Station. Their United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will soar skyward along a northeasterly trajectory.

The Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron predicts 90% odds of "go for launch" weather conditions for liftoff, with cumulus clouds posing the primary risk.

Countdown Timer

Astronauts head into history books

Update 11:23 a.m.: After a successful spacecraft separation, the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft is now flying free from the Atlas V en route to the ISS.

"The names of Wilmore and Williams now join Glenn, Carpenter, Schirra and Cooper as American astronauts to launch into space atop Atlas rockets from Cape Canaveral," ULA officials said in a blog post.

Atlas V passes due east of NYC

Update 11:03 a.m.: ULA updates and NASA TV commentary indicate the Atlas V flight is going smoothly thus far.

Eight minutes after liftoff, ULA reported the rocket was located due east of New York City as it propelled Starliner into space.

Liftoff!

Update 10:52 a.m.: Liftoff! Boeing's Starliner has taken flight atop an Atlas V from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on its groundbreaking mission.

This liftoff marked the 100th United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket launch, ULA reports.

Readiness poll: 'Go' for launch

Update 10:47 a.m.: ULA's readiness poll of 29 engineers and managers just cleared the mission to proceed with the terminal count.

Starliner to dock with ISS Thursday

Update 10:41 a.m.: After launch and a roughly 25-hour journey, NASA officials expect Starliner to dock with the ISS at12:15 p.m. Thursday.

Less than 15 minutes remain in the countdown. ULA officials announced the Starliner spacecraft atop the Atlas V rocket is transitioning to internal battery power for launch.

ULA CEO: 'The board is green'

Update 10:36 a.m.: Starliner launch update from ULA CEO and President Tory Bruno:

"Working our way through the various polls. So far, all go. Working no issues. The board is green," Bruno said in a tweet.

ULA: Weather still 'go' for launch

Update 10:31 a.m.: ULA officials just confirmed that weather conditions and the upcoming forecast remain "go" for liftoff.

ULA also re-posted a map on social media that shows areas where — and when — East Coast spectators should be able to see the Atlas V as it ascends along its northeasterly trajectory.

Launch crowds growing at KSC Visitor Complex

Update 10:25 a.m.: FLORIDA TODAY Space Reporter Brooke Edwards is now in position at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, where Starliner launch spectators are filling outdoor bleachers ahead of liftoff.

Less than 30 minutes remain in the countdown.

NASA gives peek inside Starliner capsule

Update 10:18 a.m.: A NASA Commercial Crew mission blog update provides a glimpse inside Boeing's Starliner spacecraft ahead of launch.

"Inside Starliner for this mission is about 759 pounds of cargo, which includes food, clothing, exercise gear, medical supplies, photo and media equipment, vehicle supplies and tools, and other items. A thumb drive containing about 3,500 images of artwork from children in 35 states and 66 different countries is also set to launch aboard Starliner (this morning)," the post said.

"Wilmore is flying with two gold rings he had made for his father and brother that resemble the U.S. Navy astronaut pilot wing pin. He also brought shirts from his alma maters, Tennessee Technological University and the University of Tennessee," the post said.

"Williams brought shirts from the U.S. Naval Academy and the Sunita L. Williams Elementary School in Needham, Massachusetts. She also has a diver pin and two dog tags from her Labrador retrievers," the post said.

Florida Tech salutes Suni Williams

Update 10:07 a.m.:In a morning tweet, Florida Institute of Technology officials sent well wishes to Williams,who earned a master's degree in engineering management in 1995 from the Melbourne-based STEM university.

Brevard EOC activates for Starliner launch

Update 9:57 a.m.: Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency's launch operations support team ahead of the upcoming Starliner launch.

Less than an hour remains in the countdown.

Starliner hatch closed, weather still 90% 'go'

Update 9:46 a.m.: NASA Commercial Crew officials announced crews have closed Starliner's hatch, and weather remains 90% favorable for launch.

Astronauts are 'professional through and through'

Update 9:33 a.m.: FLORIDA TODAY just spoke with NASA astronaut Jessica Wittner, who just finished her initial astronaut training. Wittner is part of the class known as the “Flies” — a name given to them by the “Turtles” class. She claims the name is because they hope to fly a lot, especially with NASA soon having two commercial vehicles in rotation.

Wittner is optimistic she may have a chance to fly on Starliner in the future.

“I think there’s going to be many opportunities to fly here in the future with Dragon, Starliner, then of course we also have the Artemis missions,” she said.

Wittner told FLORIDA TODAY that she knows the Starliner crew personally. “Funny story. Butch used to fly in the same squadron that I flew in, because I’m also a Naval aviator test pilot. When I was in the squadron flying operationally with the Navy, we actually got to talk to Butch while he was on the space station. It’s actually kind of a small world that I get to come work with him in the office.”

“I’ve gotten to do a couple of events and a couple T-38 flights with Suni too,” Wittner said. “I know them both, and I’m very excited to see them launch today.”

FLORIDA TODAY asked Wittner about the crew's personalities. Wittner smiled before responding.

“Professional through and through, and also know how to have a good time. They’re just really great, amazing people.”

Starliner pre-launch weather warming up

Update 9:20 a.m.: As of 25 minutes ago, the National Weather Service reported a few clouds, a temperature of 84 and south wind of 9 mph at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

NASA astronaut photo gallery

Update 9:10 a.m.: FLORIDA TODAY Photographer/Videographer Craig Bailey has published a photo gallery of Wilmore and Williams bidding farewell outside NASA's Neil Armstrong Operations & Checkout Building.

Starliner hatch about to close

Update 8:56 a.m.: After Wilmore and Williams settled into their seats inside Starliner, eight specialists from ULA and Boeing — known as the Blue Team — are wrapping up leak checks and a variety of tasks before closing the hatch of the spacecraft.

NWS radar shows no significant clouds

Update 8:45 a.m.: A National Weather Service radar loop from the Melbourne Orlando International Airport station shows no significant cloud cover along the Space Coast ahead of the upcoming Starliner launch.

Launch traffic jams possible in Titusville

Update 8:31 a.m.: Titusville police warn drivers to expect traffic slowdowns near prime launch viewing areas along U.S. 1, along State Road 406 and at the A. Max Brewer Bridge.

Tuesday night, police tweeted a trio of post-launch maps for motorists exiting the city.

KSC Visitor Complex opens early today

Update 8:20 a.m.: The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opened today at 8 a.m. — one hour ahead of schedule — to accommodate Starliner spectators, spokesperson Ashlynn Webb said.

“We're just trying to really highlight this monumental leap for Boeing and another (spacecraft) getting our astronauts to the ISS. So it's an exciting time,” KSC Visitor Complex Chief Operating Officer Therrin Protze said.

KSCVC officials warn visitors to expect traffic delays generated by launch spectators.

Astronauts now boarding Starliner

Update 8:11 a.m.: Wilmore and Williams are now amid the prolonged process of getting helped into their seats inside the Starliner capsule.

"The astronauts are beginning ingress into #Starliner — taking their seats in the spacecraft. Teams will assist in a series of checks, including umbilical hook ups, communications checks and suit checks. The astronauts will also check the spacecraft so they are ready for flight," Boeing Space officials said in a tweet.

Starliner crew flight test details

Update 8:04 a.m.: About an hour ago, Boeing Space officials tweeted a bullet list of mission objectives during the Starliner Crew Flight Test.

"Achieving these objectives will be part of validating the spacecraft is ready for operational missions," the tweet said.

Astrovan drives past KSC Press Site

Update 7:47 a.m.: A few minutes ago, the astronauts motored past NASA's Kennedy Space Center Press Site en route to Launch Complex 41.

Their convoy included NASA police vehicles, an armored vehicle and two helicopters.

Astronauts wave goodbye before launch

Update 7:32 a.m.: After suiting up on the third floor of NASA'sNeil Armstrong Operations&CheckoutBuilding, Wilmore and Williams emerged outside at 7:28 a.m., carrying flowers and waving.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, ULA President and CEO Tory Bruno and other officials were among the well-wishers who greeted the astronauts.

After a couple of minutes, Wilmore and Williams entered their Boeing Astrovan to embark on an escorted convoy drive to Launch Complex 41.

Space Force 90% 'go' weather details

Update 7:23 a.m.: From the 45th Weather Squadron's launch forecast:

"A mid-level trough will begin to approach the Deep South (Wednesday), causing weak steering winds to begin shifting westerly. Atmospheric moisture will also begin to increase," the forecast said.

"The sea breeze boundary should develop near the time of the launch window, possibly triggering cumulus clouds that pose a risk, but the threat appears low as most convective development should occur after the launch window," the forecast said.

As of 6:55 a.m., fair skies dominated Cape Canaveral Space Force Station with a temperature of 71, humidity level of 92% and calm breezes, the National Weather Service reported.

Astronauts suiting up for mission

Update 7:06 a.m.: Wilmore and Williams are suiting up for launch inside NASA'sNeil Armstrong Operations&CheckoutBuilding.

FLORIDA TODAY Space Reporter Brooke Edwards is positioned at the building, waiting for the astronauts to walk outside, bid farewell to family and well-wishers, and board a Boeing Astrovan wrapped in Starliner imagery for the drive to Launch Complex 41.

ULA: Atlas V rocket is fully fueled

Update 6:53 a.m.: "All three cryogenic tanks on the rocket have been topped off to flight level. That gives us a fully-fueled, 979,000-pound rocket to launch Starliner today," ULA officials announced in a blog post.

NASA TV broadcast begins

Update 6:46 a.m.: The NASA TV broadcast live feed is now posted at the top of this page.

For the latest news and launch schedule from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visitfloridatoday.com/space.

Rick Nealeis a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at Rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X:@RickNeale1

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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Starliner launch recap: Live updates from June 5 NASA crewed mission