All systems are "go" for the highly anticipated launch of Boeing's Starliner crew ship on a test flight to the International Space Station (ISS) with astronauts aboard, according to NASA managers. The launch, which marks a major milestone in NASA's Commercial Crew Program, is scheduled to take place on Saturday.

NASA's space station program manager, Dana Weigel, expressed excitement about the mission, stating that everyone involved, including the crew and ground teams, is ready for this historic moment. Liftoff is targeted for 12:25 p.m. EDT on Saturday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's pad 41.

The Starliner will be launched atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, and ULA engineers are expected to start fueling the rocket at around 6:30 a.m. Astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita Williams will strap in three hours prior to liftoff. The Atlas 5 will propel the Starliner into orbit in approximately 12 minutes, initiating a 25-hour rendezvous with the ISS. Docking is anticipated to occur at 1:50 p.m. on Sunday.

If the mission proceeds as planned, Wilmore and Williams will undock from the ISS on June 10 and return to Earth, with a landing scheduled that morning at a desert site in either Arizona or New Mexico, depending on weather conditions.

NASA astronaut Mike Fincke, who is training to command a Starliner mission next year, expressed confidence in the rocket, spacecraft, and the teams involved. He reported that Wilmore and Williams are fully prepared for the mission.

Additionally, the Starliner will carry a urine processor pump module that was added last minute to replace a failed component on the ISS. To accommodate the new module, some of the crew's clothing and personal items were removed from the ship. However, there are generic supplies already on board, including shampoo and clothing, which the astronauts can use without any issues.

Boeing's Starliner has faced a series of setbacks, causing delays in its first piloted flight. The long-awaited mission comes after four years of development and over $1 billion spent to address the issues. In contrast, SpaceX's Crew Dragon has successfully transported astronauts, cosmonauts, and civilians into orbit in 13 flights since 2020.

The launch of the Starliner, alongside SpaceX's Crew Dragon, provides NASA with multiple transportation options to the ISS, reducing reliance on Russia's Soyuz spacecraft.

With all technical concerns addressed and clearance given, anticipation is high for the successful launch of Boeing's Starliner on its monumental journey to the ISS. NASA and its partners are committed to advancing space exploration and continuing to unlock the mysteries of the universe.