Boeing's 1st Starliner Flight Test in Photos
Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft launched on its first test flight to the International Space Station on Dec. 20, 2019. During this uncrewed Orbital Flight Test (OFT) mission, Starliner was intended to spend a week at the International Space Station before returning to Earth. However, it didn't reach the correct orbit, cutting the mission short. It is now expected to deorbit and land on Sunday, Dec. 22.
Click through this gallery for photos of the OFT mission from before, during and after the launch. Here, the Atlas V rocket carrying Boeing's CST-100 Starliner lifts off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Dec. 20 at 6:36 a.m. EST (1136 GMT).
The Starliner spacecraft for the OFT mission rolls out from the Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on Nov. 21.
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket topped with Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft stands ready for launch on Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, on Dec. 19, 2019.
Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft sits atop its Atlas V rocket at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 41 in Florida, on Dec. 5, 2019, ahead of the program’s first-ever Integrated Day of Launch Test on Dec. 6. For this test, the rocket’s booster and Centaur upper stage were filled with propellants for a full run-through of the launch countdown.
The only passenger on board the Starliner during the OFT mission will be "Rosie the Astronaut," an anthropomorphic test device (ATD), or a flight test dummy.
Full Story: Rosie, a Bandana-Clad Test Dummy, Will Be the First to Fly on Boeing's Starliner
Clad with a red bandanna, an anthropometric test dummy named "Rosie the Astronaut" sits ready for launch inside Boeing's Starliner spacecraft.
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, topped by the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, stand on Space Launch Complex 41 at Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Dec. 4, 2019.
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket topped with Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft stands ready for launch on Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, on Dec. 19, 2019.
A view of the CST-100 Starliner on top of the Atlas V rocket just a few minutes before liftoff on Dec. 20, 2019.
A screenshot from NASA's live webcast of launch shows the Atlas V rocket lifting off right on time, at 6:36 a.m. EST (1136 GMT), from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
The Atlas V rocket carrying Boeing's Starliner spacecraft soars into the morning sky over Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
A crowd of spectators watch as the Atlas V rocket and Starliner spacecraft soar into the early morning sky over Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (left), Tory Bruno, president and CEO of the United Launch Alliance, and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine watch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida as a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft on board launches from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, on Dec. 20, 2019.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (left), Tory Bruno, president and CEO of the United Launch Alliance, and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine watch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida as a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft on board launches from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, on Dec. 20, 2019.
A view of the Starliner mission control room from the live webcast of the OFT launch on NASA TV.
The Atlas V rocket is pictured just before booster engine cutoff, which occurred 4 minutes and 29 seconds after liftoff.
Bright-blue flames spew from the RD-180 engine on the Atlas V rocket's first stage as it soars to orbit.
The planned flight profile for Starliner's Orbital Flight Test (OFT) mission to the International Space Station.
This infographic shows all the orbit maneuvers that the Starliner spacecraft would have performed on its way to the International Space Station, if it hadn't experienced an anomaly after launch. Future Starliner missions will follow the same flight profile.
Graphic showing the visibility map for the launch of Boeing's Starliner capsule atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket on Dec. 20, 2019.
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket and Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft are pictured on the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, on Dec. 18, 2019.
The Atlas V rocket and Starliner spacecraft are illuminated by spotlights on the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, on Dec. 18, 2019.
Light beams from Space Launch Complex 41 light up the night sky above Cape Canaveral Air Force Station as the Atlas V rocket and Starliner spacecraft are prepared for the launch of the OFT mission.
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft on top is seen inside the Vertical Integration Facility before being rolled out to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 41, on Dec. 18, 2019.
Boeing's first CST-100 Starliner spacecraft stands atop its United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket during a "wet-dress" launch day rehearsal on Dec. 6, 2019.
Boeing's first CST-100 Starliner spacecraft stands atop its United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket during a "wet-dress" launch day rehearsal on Dec. 6, 2019.
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft on top is seen inside the Vertical Integration Facility before being rolled out to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 41, on Dec. 18, 2019.
The crew access arm swings into position on the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 ahead of the Orbital Flight Test mission, on Dec. 18, 2019. The arm, spanning roughly 50 feet (15 meters) in length and weighing over 90,000 lbs. (40,800 kilograms), will form a deployable bridge for the Commercial Crew Program astronauts to walk across for future crewed missions.
The crew access arm is pictured after moving into position for Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, which is mounted on top of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket on the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41, at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft on top is seen inside the Vertical Integration Facility before being rolled out to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 41, on Dec. 18, 2019.
The Starliner spacecraft rolls out from Boeing's Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on Nov. 21, 2019.
Full Story: Boeing's 1st Starliner Space Capsule Rolls Out to Launch Site for Test Flight
A view of the new Astrovan II, which will transport Boeing astronauts to Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, where the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft will be poised for launch atop a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket.
Crowds gather to watch future Boeing astronauts speak after the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft arrived at Cape Canaveral on Nov. 21, 2019. "Beautiful moment in time as the #Starliner team hears from @Astro_Ferg, @AstroDuke and @AstroIronMike," Boeing tweeted. "There are a few tears, a lot of smiles and even more hugs as the spacecraft will soon be on its way."
From left to right: Boeing astronaut Chris Ferguson and NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Nicole Mann applaud during the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft rollout from the Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Nov. 21, 2019.
Related: Here's Who Will Fly on SpaceX's and Boeing's First Crewed Flights
The Starliner spacecraft rolls out from Boeing's Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on Nov. 21, 2019.
Full Story: Boeing's 1st Starliner Space Capsule Rolls Out to Launch Site for Test Flight
The Starliner spacecraft rolls past the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida while making its way to the Space Launch Complex 41 Vertical Integration Facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, on Nov. 21, 2019.
The Starliner spacecraft rolls past the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida while making its way to the Space Launch Complex 41 Vertical Integration Facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, on Nov. 21, 2019.
The Atlas V rocket and Starliner spacecraft are illuminated by spotlights on the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, on Dec. 18, 2019.
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine (front) speaks at a press conference at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, ahead of the Boeing Orbital Flight Test mission, on Dec. 19, 2019.
Standing behind him (from left to right) are Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana, NASA Astronauts Josh Cassada and Suni Williams, who are assigned to Boeing's first operational flight of Starliner, NASA astronauts Nicole Mann, Chris Ferguson (not visible, behind Bridenstine) and Michael Fincke, who are assigned to Boeing's Crew Flight Test, and NASA Deputy Administrator Jim Morhard.
NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada watch as the Atlas V rocket and Starliner roll out to the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41, on Dec. 18, 2019.
NASA astronauts Nicole Mann (left) and Michael Fincke take a selfie as the Atlas V rocket rolls out out of the Vertical Integration Facility to the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41, on Dec. 18, 2019.
Engineers gently guide the Starliner vessel into position above the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at the Vertical Integration Facility of Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, on Nov. 21, 2019.
A Boeing Starliner spacecraft is prepared for a planned December 2019 test flight to the International Space Station for NASA.
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft on top is seen inside the Vertical Integration Facility before being rolled out to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 41, on Dec. 18, 2019.
Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft rolls out from the Vertical Integration Facility to Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft on top is seen inside the Vertical Integration Facility before being rolled out to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 41, on Dec. 18, 2019.
The Atlas V rocket and Starliner spacecraft are illuminated by spotlights on the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, on Dec. 18, 2019.
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft on top is seen inside the Vertical Integration Facility before being rolled out to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 41, on Dec. 18, 2019.
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft on top is seen inside the Vertical Integration Facility before being rolled out to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 41, on Dec. 18, 2019.
From left to right: NASA astronauts Nicole Mann, Michael Fincke, Suni Williams, Josh Cassada and Eric Boe pose for a picture in front of the Atlas V rocket and Starliner spacecraft at Space Launch Complex 41, on Dec. 18, 2019.
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket and Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft are seen on the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, on Dec. 19, 2019.
Hello, Atlas V! The Starliner spacecraft arrives at the Vertical Integration Facility, where the Atlas V rocket stands ready to receive its precious cargo, on Nov. 21, 2019.
Related: Watch Boeing's Starliner Meet Its Rocket for the 1st Time in This Awesome Drone Video
This view from the ground below offers another perspective of Boeing's Starliner being raised into position for mating with the Launch Vehicle Adapter on top of the rocket's Centaur upper stage. This structure will cradles the spacecraft during the fist 15 minutes of the spacecraft's flight to the space station.
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft looks a bit small near the foot of the Atlas V rocket that will carry it to space. Here the pair are seen at the Vertical Integration Facility of Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Nov. 21, 2019.
- Photo Tour: Inside Boeing's CST-100 Starliner Spaceship Hangar
- Boeing Unveils New Spacesuits for Starliner Astronaut Taxi (Photos)
- Photos: Meet the 'Boeing Blue' Spacesuit for Starliner Capsule
Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.
Get the Space.com Newsletter
Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.
Space.com is the premier source of space exploration, innovation and astronomy news, chronicling (and celebrating) humanity's ongoing expansion across the final frontier. Originally founded in 1999, Space.com is, and always has been, the passion of writers and editors who are space fans and also trained journalists. Our current news team consists of Editor-in-Chief Tariq Malik; Editor Hanneke Weitering, Senior Space Writer Mike Wall; Senior Writer Meghan Bartels; Senior Writer Chelsea Gohd, Senior Writer Tereza Pultarova and Staff Writer Alexander Cox, focusing on e-commerce. Senior Producer Steve Spaleta oversees our space videos, with Diana Whitcroft as our Social Media Editor.
