The Starliner, developed by aerospace company Boeing, is set to launch its first manned flight to the ISS space station on Saturday at 19:25 Finnish time. This marks the beginning of commercial taxi traffic into space as private capsules replace the retired space shuttles that previously transported astronauts to the station.
Boeing’s Starliner and SpaceX’s Crew Dragon have been developed with funding from NASA as part of a multi-billion dollar deal signed in 2014. Both private capsules will compete for transportation to the ISS, with Crew Dragon having successfully transported astronauts since November 2020.
The Starliner has experienced birth defects related to leaks and valve adjustments, but despite a minor helium leak from one valve, the flight will proceed as planned. The ISS has been home to astronauts who are replaced every six months since 2000, and this transition signifies a new era in space travel and exploration.
As commercial companies lead the way in innovation and transportation capabilities, this development signals a shift away from reliance on the Russian Soyuz spaceship, which has been used for transportation in recent years. The aging Soyuz technology is likely to become obsolete as US space programs evolve, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.
