### Starliner Astronauts Prep for ISS Docking Amid Helium Leak

As the countdown to the historic Boeing Starliner launch with astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita Williams on board approaches, excitement and anticipation are building. The Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission is set to launch on May 6, marking a significant milestone in the Starliner program.

The astronauts have been diligently preparing for their mission, undergoing dress rehearsals, simulator training, and other preparations to ensure a successful flight. Most recently, they completed a dress rehearsal at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, simulating launch day procedures and familiarizing themselves with the spacecraft.

The Starliner spacecraft, perched atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, is ready for liftoff from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The launch is scheduled for 10:34 p.m. EDT on May 6, with coverage available on NASA Television and potentially live streams on various platforms.

The Crew Flight Test will involve a one-week mission to the International Space Station, where the astronauts will conduct tests and operations to certify the spacecraft for future crewed missions. This milestone mission sets the stage for future Starliner flights, including operational missions to the ISS starting in 2025.

With the astronauts now on site at the Kennedy Space Center, the final preparations are underway for this historic launch. Stay tuned for more updates as we count down to the momentous liftoff of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft with astronauts on board.