The stars beckon for a University of Tennessee graduate as the Boeing Starliner readies to make its mark in the arena of space travel. Barry "Butch" Wilmore, together with co-astronaut Sunita "Suni" Williams, will be the first crew to helm the CST-100 Starliner on its test flight to the International Space Station. The mission's tonight go-time is poised to chart out a new course for NASA's crew transportation endeavors.
Wilmore, a Tennessee native with a remarkable record, will serve as the mission's commander. Not only a seasoned astronaut but a former U.S. Navy captain with over 8,000 flight hours, Wilmore's connection to his home state remains strong. "I am a Tennessean at heart," he assuredly told UT's Tickle College of Engineering, as reported by Knox News. This marks Wilmore's third odyssey to the International Space Station. Following the launch, which is to validate the Starliner as a safe transport vessel, he and Williams are expected to spend about a week in space before their return.
The Starliner's goal, to shuttle astronauts and potentially cargo between Earth and the International Space Station, carves out a niche for Boeing in the commercial spaceflight domain. Competing with SpaceX's Crew Dragon, which has been actively conducting manned missions, Boeing aims to catch up and solidify its presence in this high-stakes space race. Regarding the launch, viewers can witness the event live, capturing a potentially historic moment for space exploration. Details regarding the livestream and launch specifics were discussed by The Tennessean.
The importance of such missions extends beyond the mere advancement of technology; it symbolizes a growing partnership between the government and private sectors in space travel. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, during a Friday conference, highlighted this collaboration. "This is all a part of our commercial activities. So, you've already seen commercial crew and cargo to orbit with The Dragon and other cargo vehicles. This will give us that additional capability because we always look for a backup," Nelson said, as reported by WBIR.
Wilmore's academic roots trace back to Tennessee Tech, from which he holds two degrees and an honorary doctorate. His upcoming interaction with the campus community, scheduled for May 10 via a broadcast from the Space Station, promises to inspire a new generation with his experiences from this historic mission. Tennessee Tech released a statement looking forward to the event that will allow students the opportunity to query the astronaut during this academic exchange.
