A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-082, will launch Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft for a critical NASA test flight in Florida scheduled for Thursday, May 19, 2022. Liftoff will be at 6:54 p.m.
The spacecraft successfully rolled out to its launch pad Wednesday at Space Launch Complex 41 of the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
It’s the second unpiloted test flight for Boeing’s Starliner in a critical mission to the International Space Station. The mission will show that the space taxi is ready to begin flying NASA astronauts to and from the space station.
If Thursday’s launch is a success, the Boeing OFT-2 Starliner spacecraft will arrive at the International Space Station on Friday evening for a roughly five-day stay at the orbiting lab.
NASA astronauts are expected to open the hatches to the capsule on Saturday, May 21, 2022.
Following the Boeing mission, Starliner will return to Earth and land at White Sands Missle Range in New Mexico. For landing, Starliner will use parachutes, airbags, and retrorockets.
Watching the Launch in Sebastian, Florida
We could see some clouds this evening before lunch, but the weather still looks promising to catch a glimpse of the Boeing Starliner launch.
The best way to view the Atlas V rocket is away from exterior lighting and over water, like on a public dock or boat. There are two public docks near Riverview Park and the Main Street boat ramp.
Today is the best day to launch as it will rain Friday and Saturday. But, if it’s too cloudy to see the launch, you can watch it live from NASA.