Boeing’s Starliner capsule successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) after overcoming some last-minute challenges. This marked the first crewed test flight for the capsule, carrying astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams for an eight-day stay on the ISS.

The docking, originally planned for 12:15 PM ET, encountered a delay due to malfunctions in five of Starliner’s 28 reaction control thrusters. Several of these malfunctions were attributed to a helium propulsion leak. Fortunately, after assessing the situation, NASA and Boeing determined the remaining thrusters provided sufficient redundancy for a safe mission. Wilmore and Williams themselves managed to restart three of the inoperable thrusters.

This wasn’t the first hurdle Starliner faced during the mission. A minor helium leak was identified during liftoff and ascent, followed by two more leaks later on. These recent challenges add to a series of complications that have plagued Starliner’s development, including past orbital flight test issues, valve problems, software glitches, and parachute system malfunctions. These issues have significantly delayed the program compared to its initial launch target of 2020.

Despite these setbacks, Boeing’s goal is to achieve NASA certification for regular crewed flights to the ISS, joining SpaceX as a commercial transportation provider. This public-private partnership aims to establish a reliable and cost-effective human spaceflight program. While Boeing has faced its share of difficulties, the successful docking, albeit with some technical hiccups, marks a significant step forward for the company’s Starliner program.