Boeing's Starliner Capsule Nears International Space Station

Historic Mission to Send Astronauts to Orbit

After Years of Delays and Technical Setbacks

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft is now in a stable low-Earth orbit, paving the way for the spacecraft's historic mission to send astronauts to the International Space Station. The Crew Flight Test, as it's known, is the culmination of years of work and billions of dollars in investment by Boeing and NASA.

The Starliner capsule, named "Calypso," was launched into space on Saturday atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. The launch was originally scheduled for Friday, but was delayed due to a technical issue with the spacecraft. The spacecraft successfully completed its orbital insertion burn, placing it in a stable orbit around Earth.

The Crew Flight Test is a major milestone for Boeing and NASA. It will be the first time that the Starliner capsule has carried astronauts into orbit. The mission will also test the spacecraft's ability to rendezvous and dock with the International Space Station.

The Starliner capsule is designed to carry up to four astronauts to the International Space Station. It is equipped with a variety of advanced systems, including a docking system, a life support system, and a propulsion system.

The Crew Flight Test is a critical step in NASA's plans to return human spaceflight to U.S. soil. The agency has contracted with Boeing and SpaceX to develop commercial crew transportation systems to ferry astronauts to and from the International Space Station.

The Starliner capsule is expected to dock with the International Space Station on Monday. The astronauts will spend about five days on the station, conducting a variety of experiments and maintenance tasks. They will then return to Earth on Friday.

The Crew Flight Test is a major milestone in the history of human spaceflight. It will be the first time that a commercial spacecraft has carried astronauts into orbit. The mission will also help NASA to move forward with its plans to return human spaceflight to U.S. soil.