NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams made history by becoming the first individuals to launch into orbit aboard Boeing’s [NYSE: BA] Starliner. The spacecraft lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 10:52 am ET, beginning a 25-hour journey to the International Space Station (ISS).

This mission marks the start of the NASA-Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test (CFT).

“This crew flight test represents the beginning of a new era of space exploration as we watch astronauts Wilmore and Williams put Boeing’s Starliner through its paces on the way to the International Space Station,” stated Ted Colbert, President and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “This is a great start. We look forward to getting the astronauts safely to the space station and back home.”

Wilmore and Williams also became the first to launch on an Atlas V rocket

In addition to the two astronauts, the Starliner is transporting approximately 760 pounds (345 kilograms) of cargo.

As of 1:00 P.M. today, NASA astronauts Wilmore and Williams successfully docked Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft to the ISS, about 26 hours after launching from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The astronauts monitored Starliner as it autonomously conducted a series of maneuvers to steadily bring the spacecraft closer to the orbiting laboratory before docking.

On the way to the ISS, the crew completed a series of tests including manually flying Starliner for the first time in space. The two Starliner astronauts, who are joining seven others currently living on the station, will assist with various tests and conduct scientific experiments while in space.

“It is both amazing and humbling to join the fleet of commercial spacecraft capable of conducting crewed transportation services to and from the space station for NASA. Our teams have done some great work to get us to this point,” said Kay Sears, vice president and general manager of Space, Intelligence & Weapon Systems for Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

After spending about a week on orbit, Wilmore and Williams will board Starliner and return home.

Huntsville has played a significant role in the development and success of the Boeing Starliner launch. The city is home to several key facilities and organizations that have contributed to the project. Boeing has a substantial presence in Huntsville, where engineers and technicians have been involved in various aspects of the Starliner program. This includes systems engineering, software development, and testing critical components to ensure the spacecraft’s reliability and safety.

“We congratulate Boeing on the triumphant launch of the Starliner, which is carrying veteran NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station. Space exploration is a key part of Huntsville’s heritage and a testament to our collective spirit of innovation and discovery. Moments like these fill us with pride and inspire all of us to reach for the stars,” said City of Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle in an online interview.

For more about Starliner, visit www.boeing.com/starliner. Follow the mission on X @BoeingSpace and www.starlinerupdates.com.