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NASA and Boeing successfully launched the first crewed CST-100 Starliner mission on June 5, 2024, at about 10:52 a.m. EDT (14:52 UTC). NASA astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore commanded the spacecraft, with Sunita “Suni” Williams as pilot. The United Launch Alliance Atlas V lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, carrying Starliner toward the International Space Station (ISS).
This is now a historical event rather than an upcoming launch. NASA’s current livestream hub is NASA Live; use it for current programming and check NASA’s video archive or mission pages for replay coverage of the 2024 flight.
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Where to watch NASA’s Starliner coverage
NASA’s official destination for live television and web video is NASA Live. During the June 5, 2024 attempt, NASA Television’s coverage began well before liftoff and included astronaut departure, rocket fueling, hatch operations and the final countdown. The broadcast continued through ascent, orbital insertion and later mission updates.
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Because the launch occurred in 2024, an old “watch live here” player should not be treated as an active broadcast. Look for an archived NASA video or replay rather than assuming the original livestream remains available.
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What made the launch historic?
This was Starliner’s first flight with astronauts aboard. The spacecraft had already completed uncrewed test missions, so it is inaccurate to call June 5 Boeing’s first Starliner launch without qualification.
The mission, formally called the Boeing Crew Flight Test (CFT), was designed to validate the spacecraft for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Engineers and astronauts were evaluating crew displays and controls, life-support and communications systems, orbital maneuvering, rendezvous and docking with the ISS, and the vehicle’s ability to return safely to Earth.
It was also the first crewed launch of an Atlas V. NASA’s broader goal was to maintain two independent U.S. crew-transportation systems—Boeing’s Starliner and SpaceX’s Crew Dragon—for ISS missions. CFT was therefore a certification-oriented flight test, not the start of routine Starliner crew rotations.
The crew
- Barry “Butch” Wilmore — spacecraft commander
- Sunita “Suni” Williams — spacecraft pilot
Wilmore and Williams are veteran NASA astronauts and former U.S. Navy test pilots. Each was making a third spaceflight. Starliner launched them from Space Launch Complex 41 aboard a ULA Atlas V.
Why there were multiple launch attempts
The successful liftoff followed two separate countdown interruptions:
- May 6, 2024: NASA postponed the first attempt after identifying a valve problem on the Atlas V’s Centaur upper stage.
- June 1, 2024: A late-countdown attempt was aborted when the ground launch sequencer did not verify the required redundancy. A faulty computer card was suspected.
- June 5, 2024: The third major opportunity proceeded, and Atlas V successfully placed Starliner on its flight path.
A scrub or abort means an attempt ends before liftoff; it is not the same as a launch failure. The June 5 ascent itself succeeded, although the spacecraft encountered problems later in the mission.
Mission timeline and later outcome
Starliner reached orbit on June 5 and docked with the ISS on June 6, 2024, after troubleshooting and a delayed rendezvous sequence. The spacecraft then remained attached while teams investigated propulsion-system behavior.
Engineers reported issues involving reaction-control-system thrusters and detected helium leaks in the propulsion system. NASA originally expected a short stay of roughly a week, but the analysis took much longer. The concerns affected the return plan—not the successful launch—and NASA ultimately chose to bring Starliner home without its crew.
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Starliner departed the ISS and landed uncrewed in New Mexico on September 6, 2024. Wilmore and Williams remained aboard the ISS and later returned to Earth on a SpaceX Crew Dragon mission. Calling them “stranded” is misleading: the station supports long-duration habitation, and NASA had alternative transportation and contingency plans.
Key facts at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Mission | Boeing Crew Flight Test (CFT) |
| Spacecraft | Boeing CST-100 Starliner |
| Rocket | United Launch Alliance Atlas V |
| Launch site | Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida |
| Launch | June 5, 2024, approximately 10:52 a.m. EDT / 14:52 UTC |
| Crew | Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams |
| ISS docking | June 6, 2024 |
| Starliner landing | Uncrewed, September 6, 2024 |
What viewers should take away
The event was historic because astronauts finally flew aboard Starliner, not because it was a flawless operational mission. Launch and docking were achieved, while thruster and helium concerns led NASA to qualify the flight test’s return phase and use Crew Dragon for the astronauts’ eventual trip home. For current NASA broadcasts, start with NASA Live; for this mission, seek the archived June 2024 coverage.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
Was this Starliner’s first launch ever?
No. It was Starliner’s first crewed launch. Earlier Starliner missions flew without astronauts.
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No. NASA returned Starliner uncrewed on September 6, 2024, and the astronauts later came home aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.
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Was the June 5 launch a failure?
No. Atlas V successfully launched Starliner and the spacecraft docked with the ISS. Propulsion and helium-leak concerns later changed the return plan.
Is NASA still livestreaming this launch?
The June 5, 2024 broadcast is no longer a live event. NASA’s current live destination is NASA Live, where archived or current programming may be available.
The Bottom Line
NASA’s first crewed Starliner launch succeeded on June 5, 2024, but the spacecraft returned empty after in-flight propulsion concerns. Watch the archived coverage through NASA’s video channels rather than treating the event as an upcoming launch.
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