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In pictures: New Boeing spacecraft to return early after failure
The Starliner capsule was launched Friday from Cape Canaveral, Florida, but shortly after separating from its Atlas V launch rocket its thrusters failed to activate as planned, preventing it from reaching an orbit high enough to meet up with the International Space Station (ISS).
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, topped by a Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, lifts off from Space Launch Complex pad 41 on December 20, 2019 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. All Image Courtesy: Flickr/NASA
The launch is another step in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program that aims to return human spaceflight launches to the space station from American soil on America spacecraft and rockets.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), left, Tory Bruno, president and CEO of United Launch Alliance, and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine watch as a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft onboard launches from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The Boeing Starliner launched from Launch Pad 41 Friday morning for its maiden voyage to the International Space Station, as part of NASAs Commercial Crew Program at Kennedy Space Center.
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, topped by a Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, lifts off from Space Launch Complex pad 41 on December 20, 2019 in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeings CST-100 Starliner spacecraft onboard is seen as it is rollout out of the Vertical Integration Facility to the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 ahead of the Orbital Flight Test mission, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
The uncrewed Orbital Flight Test will be Starliner’s maiden mission to the International Space Station for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeings CST-100 Starliner spacecraft onboard is seen illuminated by spotlights on the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 ahead of the Orbital Flight Test mission, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
