Photos: ULA Rolls Boeing Starliner to the Launch Pad
Michael Galindo
In preparation for Boeing’s Crew Flight Test of the Starliner spacecraft, ULA rolled its Atlas V rocket to SLC-41 at Cape Canaveral on Saturday, May 4th. NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station in the spacecraft, named Calypso, on Monday, May 6th at 9:34 pm CST.
Following first motion at 9:10 am CST, the Atlas V rocket was pulled on the mobile launch platform to the launchpad by two rail cars. Once it reached the launchpad, operations resumed to ready the rocket and spacecraft for launch. By the next afternoon, the Starliner crew access arm could be seen attached to the spacecraft.
A view of ULA’s Vehicle Integration Building where Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft was stacked onto an Atlas V rocket. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic ChicagoULA’s Atlas V rocket carrying the Starliner spacecraft is barely visible in the Vehicle Integration Facility at Cape Canaveral. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic ChicagoPhotographers stand at the ready to capture the start of Boeing’s Starliner rollout to the launch pad. Photo: Michael Galindo/Sophie SanchezAn Atlas V rocket carrying Boeing Staliner begins its journey to the launch pad. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic ChicagoThe Atlas V rocket carrying Starliner clears the Vehicle Assembly building on its way to the launchpad. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic ChicagoBoeing’s Starliner spacecraft heads to the launchpad on an Atlas V rocket ahead of the Crew Flight Test. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic ChicagoThe Atlas V mobile launch platform steadily moves towards the launch pad during roll to pad operations. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic ChicagoA view of the Starliner spacecraft, named Calypso, atop an Atlas V rocket, still bears the reentry burn marks from its earlier Orbital Flight Test. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic ChicagoThe mobile launch platform carrying an Atlas V rocket with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft reaches SLC-41 at Cape Canaveral. Photo: Michael Galindo/Sophie SanchezAtlas V slowly rolls into place on SLC-41. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic ChicagoA view of Atlas V from SLC-41 as final preparations are made for the launch of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic ChicagoThe Boeing Starliner spacecraft for CFT was named Calypso by NASA astronaut Suni Williams. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic ChicagoBoeing’s Starliner spacecraft sits on SLC-41 awaiting launch to the International Space Station on May 6th, 2022. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic ChicagoBoeing’s Starliner spacecraft is ready to fly NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station for the Crew Flight Test as part of the Commercial Crew Program. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic Chicago
Update: This photo gallery has been updated with additional photos from the launch pad.
