BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Update: We have liftoff.
Boeing’s Starliner successfully launched from Florida’s Space Coast as scheduled at 6:54 p.m. Thursday.
The Starliner is heading to the International Space Station, and could pave the way for another U.S. crew transportation options.
The Starliner launched an uncrewed mission in 2019, but because of a software glitch, it never made it to the space station.
Brevard County Emergency Management Office tweeted shortly after the launch that it had deactivated its launch operations support team after a successful launch.
Watch the launch below:
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Final preparations are happening on the Space Coast as Boeing gets ready to launch its Starliner spacecraft to the International Space Station Thursday evening.
>>> WATCH THE LAUNCH LIVE <<<
The launch is set to go at 6:54 p.m.
It marks the second uncrewed flight test to ISS. Success will bring NASA closer to having two U.S. crew transportation options. Failure could bring a lot of questions.
READ: Boeing Starliner ready for Thursday launch
The Starliner launched an uncrewed mission in 2019, but because of a software glitch, it never made it to the space station.
The Boeing Starliner sits atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, ready to launch an uncrewed demonstration mission to the International Space Station.
READ: NASA, Boeing teams provide update on ‘high-stakes’ Starliner flight test
The mission will conclude with a desert landing in the western U.S. Data from the flight test will help NASA certify Boeing’s crew transportation system to carry astronauts as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew program.
Following a successful flight test and data reviews, NASA and Boeing will set a target launch date for a flight test with astronauts on board.
READ: Florida’s Space Coast sees biggest month ever for tourist tax collections
You can watch the launch LIVE on Channel 9 or by clicking below.
>>>WATCH THE LAUNCH LIVE<<<
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