FINALLY— Boeing Starliner successfully launched to the ISS

It's been a long road to this point but Boeing Starliner successfully launched to the ISS at 10:52 am ET on June 5 from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral, FL. Here's a rundown of how the countdown went, why the launch was scrubbed on June 1, and the larger context of what this launch means -- as well as what's next.

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⏱ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction
00:27 - Why this is a big deal
01:46 - The June 1 scrub
02:39 - Atlas V problems and other delays
05:57 - Urine processor failure on the ISS
06:51 - What's next?

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[rolfw]

So relieved to finally see it launch!!
Thx for the detailed summary :)

[brianicia]

I got caught up today but forgot to continue watching. But it was good to watch....Finally. But yes, two is better than one.

[stevecam]

A big surprise it got of the ground, congratulations Boeing.

[ARWest-bpyb]

I wasn't able to catch the live stream, so of course it finally launched!🤣 Hope everything goes smoothly.👍👍

[Chromicon]

Now they just have to actually make it to the ISS without any issues. Here's hoping. 🤞

[frenchtoastemergency]

thanks for this comprehensive overview!

[bryanhFBH]

It's a pleasure watching and listening to you. Your report is just right. Not too long. Great job!

[JasonDamisch]

Best Wishes and Safe Flight! In a year or two we will be asking Boeing why they are not flying back stages.

[frujf]

I'm glad the launch was successful but don't minimize all the problems that have happened along the way. Boeing has a management problem that affects all aspects of their operations.

[oldmanstumpie]

I suspect (IF Starliner functions properly 🤞) this will be the last time NASA is ever without an ISS passenger bus.
Fingers crossed for docking and the return.

[Tinman_]

It's great Starliner launched without a hitch today. Boeing has had some bad luck and a lot of criticism lately, but maybe if they weren't so closed lip about their development, critics would be more receptive to their accomplishments and abilities. Great updates and commentary 👌

[AgentX]

Boeings Starliner is years ahead of anything out there!😊

[victorkrawchuk]

Although I'm a SpaceX fan I was really glad that Starliner finally launched successfully. However, only 6 remaining Atlas Vs exist for Starliner launches, and as far as I've heard ULA isn't planning to crew-certify Vulcan Centaur. This is surprising to me, since it basically prohibits any private launches of Starliner over and above the NASA missions to the ISS. Shouldn't Boeing be pushing for additional private missions with Starliner to help pay for the project overruns?

[LabyrinthMike]

So let me get this straight: Boeing has already purchased Atlases for the remaining Starliner missions to the ISS? I knew the Atlas was being phased out and I wondered what the remaining launch vehicles were going to be. I guess I was assuming it was going to be Vulcan but, yeah, it's not human rated yet.

[scott]

I'm going to miss the Atlas V. Three of the best engines ever on one rocket. The RD 180, an Oxygen rich staged combustion RP1 main engine that was essentially designed in the 60s. It's still one of the best preforming engines in 2024.
The Northrop Grumman GEM 63 solid rocket boosters are an ultra reliable workhorse to get through the thickest parts of the atmosphere.
The upper stage HydroLox, Expander Cycle, RL10s are among the most efficient engines ever. They make up for their low thrust with this high efficiency.
And most importantly, the Atlas V looks cool as $h!t!!!

[comet]

1st news I've watched on Boing's launch. Nice to see it made it, hopefully they'll be able to fix any issues they've found on this flight.
I wish the fat cats in D.C. would scrape a little off the military budget, and drop it into NASA's budget.
Good vid Ms. Krishna.

[Rkcuddles]

The explanation for why we need another private American company reinventing all the things that space X has figured out already is not satisfying. Space x isn’t Russia… can we focus boing on all the other problems that need to be solved?

[southofhollywood]

The Atlas 5 uses Russian engines so nothing has changed.