Boeing's Starliner spacecraft took a significant step towards its mission to the International Space Station (ISS) as it embarked on a short road trip to its launch site on April 16. The spacecraft, which is expected to launch in early May, made its way towards the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida.

Led by commander Barry "Butch" Wilmore and pilot Suni Williams, both experienced NASA astronauts and former Navy test pilots, the Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission will aim to test all major systems onboard the Starliner during its week-long journey to the ISS. This follows two previous uncrewed flights by the Starliner, one in 2019 that did not reach the ISS as planned, and another in 2022 that successfully met all flight objectives.

The rollout of the Starliner from the commercial crew and cargo processing facility at KSC marked a historic moment witnessed by several astronauts. The spacecraft, carefully treated with great care and attention to detail, made a six-mile journey to ULA's vertical integration facility, where the Atlas V rocket is located. Boeing Space announced the successful integration of the rocket and spacecraft in a social media post.

Once the stacking of the rocket and spacecraft is complete, and communications between the two are verified, they will be transported together to the launch pad at KSC. The upcoming CFT mission signifies a crucial milestone in Boeing's efforts to send crews to the ISS after facing technical challenges and delays over the years, including the discovery of issues with the parachute suspension lines and flammable wiring in 2023.

Witnessing the Starliner rollout were also astronauts Scott Tingle, Mike Fincke, Joshua Kutryk, and Kimiya Yui from various space agencies. They were present not only to support the CFT mission but also to anticipate their own involvement in the first operational six-month ISS mission, known as Starliner-1, scheduled for 2025.

As Boeing's Starliner spacecraft prepares for its highly anticipated launch, the successful integration with the Atlas V rocket brings NASA and its international partners one step closer to advancing space exploration and scientific research on board the ISS. All eyes are now eagerly focused on the upcoming launch of the Starliner, eagerly awaiting the achievements and data it brings back from its mission to the ISS.