In an official blog post on Wednesday, NASA announced the new target launch date for the first astronaut-crewed flight into space aboard Boeing's Starliner, following several delays. If successful, this mission could pave the way for routine missions to and from the International Space Station (ISS).

The highly anticipated first flight of Starliner is now scheduled for Saturday, June 1, at 12:25 p.m. ET. However, there are backup dates set for June 2, June 5, and June 6, in case any further postponements are necessary, according to the federal space agency.

The previous launch attempts were hindered by various setbacks. Initially planned for May 6, the crewed flight test had to be postponed due to a problem with an oxygen valve on a rocket manufactured by United Launch Alliance (ULA), which is responsible for launching spacecraft into orbit.

A new launch date of May 25 was then set, but an issue with a small helium leak in the service module, which houses support systems and instruments, forced another delay. A joint effort by NASA, Boeing, and ULA teams has been underway for the past two weeks to address the valve issue and troubleshoot the helium manifold leak.

Steve Stich, manager of the NASA Commercial Crew Program, acknowledged the complexity of the situation, stating, "It has been important that we take our time to understand all the complexities of each issue."

The upcoming test drive launch of Starliner will feature NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore, 61, and Sunita Williams, 58. Wilmore, a former U.S. Navy captain, will command the flight, while Williams, a former Navy service member, will pilot the spacecraft. Both astronauts are currently undergoing rigorous training in Starliner simulators and are in quarantine at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Once the new launch date approaches, Wilmore and Williams will return to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The journey to the ISS will take approximately 24 hours, during which the crew will conduct various tests on the spacecraft's equipment, as per NASA's plans.

During their anticipated one-week stay on the ISS, Williams and Wilmore will evaluate the performance of the Starliner and its systems. Upon re-entry, the spacecraft will deploy parachutes and an airbag system, bringing the crew safely back to Earth in the western United States.

To provide updates and insights into the next targeted launch opportunity, NASA and Boeing have scheduled a media teleconference for Friday, May 24. This announcement is expected to shed more light on the ongoing work and preparations for the mission.

The success of this mission holds significant implications for NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which aims to utilize American rockets and spacecraft to transport crew and cargo to the ISS. As NASA continues to prepare for future lunar and Mars missions, certifying the Starliner for routine ISS missions would provide a crucial boost to the program.

For now, all eyes are on the upcoming launch of Boeing's Starliner as it aims to fulfill its mission of transporting astronauts to the International Space Station and pave the way for a new era of space exploration.