An Atlas V rocket carrying Boeing's Starliner spacecraft was rolled out to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Saturday, May 4, coinciding with Star Wars Day. This marks the start of a historic mission that will see humans onboard the spacecraft for the first time. The launch is scheduled for Monday, May 6, with an instantaneous launch window opening at 10:34 p.m. EDT.

Known as the Crew Flight Test (CFT), the mission will feature two veteran NASA astronauts, Butch Wilmore as the mission commander, and Suni Williams as the pilot. Both astronauts, who are also former U.S. Navy test pilots, are currently in quarantine at the nearby Kennedy Space Center.

The significance of this mission extends beyond being the first time Boeing's Starliner will carry astronauts into space. It also marks the first time in over two decades that astronauts will launch from Cape Canaveral, as opposed to the Kennedy Space Center, since Apollo 7's mission on October 11, 1968. Additionally, this will be the first time humans have ridden an Atlas rocket since Gordon Cooper's Mercury-Atlas 9 mission on May 15, 1963.

Boeing had initially planned for the Starliner's debut flight with humans onboard to take place in 2022. However, the mission faced several delays due to technical issues and the global COVID-19 pandemic. One of the key challenges faced by Boeing was resolving computer glitches that affected Starliner's first uncrewed test flight in December 2019. After implementing numerous fixes, the second uncrewed test flight was finally successful in May 2022.

The delay in launching the Crew Flight Test has allowed competitor SpaceX to take the lead, having already sent 12 crewed missions to the International Space Station (ISS) since 2020. Both Boeing and SpaceX were awarded commercial crew contracts by NASA in 2014, with Boeing's contract valued at $4.2 billion and SpaceX's at $2.6 billion.

Assurances have been given by NASA and Boeing that all necessary preparations have been completed for a safe and successful launch. Weather conditions are also favorable, with a 95% chance of a suitable launch window on Monday. However, final checks for technical readiness and weather suitability will continue right up until liftoff.

If the Crew Flight Test proceeds according to plan, Boeing will join SpaceX in regularly sending astronauts to the ISS for six-month missions. This important step forward in commercial crew capabilities showcases the progress made by private companies in contributing to human space exploration.

As the launch of Boeing's Starliner approaches, the excitement and anticipation are palpable within the space community. This mission not only represents a significant milestone for Boeing but also signifies a continued collaboration between NASA and private industry to advance the frontiers of space exploration.