NASA and Boeing are counting down to Monday night’s (May 6) scheduled launch of the Starliner capsule from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida to the International Space Station after years of delays.

Cape Canaveral

Boeing is poised to launch its first crewed Starliner mission to the International Space Station (ISS), in collaboration with NASA, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This milestone event comes after several years of postponements that have marred the project. The Starliner mission represents a crucial step for Boeing, following a history of partnership with NASA that includes the Apollo missions, the Space Shuttle, and the International Space Station ISS. Boeing's position as a contractor for NASA's crewed missions in low Earth orbit highlights the company's longstanding relationship with space exploration.

The anticipation surrounding the Starliner's launch is heightened by Boeing's need to surmount previous challenges. The spacecraft encountered technical issues that delayed its readiness, originally targeted for 2015, setting it behind its competitor, SpaceX, which successfully conducted its first crewed mission in 2020. Furthermore, Boeing's reputation has been under scrutiny due to incidents within its jet passenger division, including the 737 MAX 8 tragedies and a recent issue involving a door plug on a 737 aircraft. Success in the Starliner's first crewed flight is seen as an opportunity for Boeing to enhance its standing in the aerospace sector and reaffirm its commitment to safety and innovation.

Astronaut Butch Wilmore has expressed confidence in the improvements made to the Starliner, emphasizing the spacecraft's advancements over the past years. The mission will utilize the Atlas V rocket from United Launch Alliance, marking its inaugural attempt to transport astronauts. Enhancements to the Starliner have focused on critical components such as the parachute system and technical fixes to previous issues. Following its journey to the ISS and completion of its test flight, the Starliner is expected to return to Earth, landing in the New Mexico desert. This event will provide valuable insights into the spacecraft's performance and operational capabilities.



Boeing set to launch first crewed Starliner mission

I sort of have to pinch myself a little bit to understand where actually where we're going. The Starliner looks a bit like the old Apollo command module that first took us to the moon, and that makes sense given the legendary company that built it. Boeing partnered with NASA on the Apollo missions and then the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. So when NASA decided to outsource crewed missions in low Earth orbit to private companies, Boeing was a logical choice. But unfortunately for NASA, Boeing's Starliner hit a series of malfunctions and delays. For context, Starliner had planned to be ready to go by 2015 while NASA's other private partner SpaceX launched its first crewed mission in 2020. And while Boeing dealt with technical snags on the Starliner, its jet passenger division faced scandals over the 737 MAX 8 disasters and more recently a door plug blowing out on a 737. Boeing has a lot riding on this first crewed flight of the Starliner. Assuming it succeeds, it can elevate our space program, and it can also change the narrative for Boeing. And if it continues to succeed, it can help restore Boeing's reputation as one of the safest and most innovative companies in the world. Astronaut Butch Wilmore says they've already improved the Starliner as engineers work through the glitches. I mean, if we could go back just three years and talk about the capabilities of spacecraft, what it was then as envisioned, and then where it's at now after these discoveries, it's really leaps and bounds forward. Yeah, and you can see the Atlas V and Starliner over my right shoulder, screen left, but here's a model to give you an idea of what we're looking at here. Of course, with the Starliner mounted to the top, the Atlas V, United Launch Alliance's first effort to send astronauts on an Atlas V. Here's a closer look at the spacecraft itself. Somewhat similar to the Apollo command modules, modified though and modernized quite a bit. A lot of the recent work has been to focus on improving the parachute system and also replacing a lot of the tape due to some technical problems before that. Once it docks with the space station, after its mission and that part of the test flight, it'll then plan to splash down in the New Mexico desert. After that, we'll have a much better idea of how the Starliner performed.

A prominent member of Israel's war cabinet, Benny Gantz, has threatened to quit if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doesn't outline a post-war plan for Gaza by early next month. There's also pressure from protesters who are calling on the government to do more to secure the release of captives.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Israel-Gaza War

Key ally of Netanyahu threatens to quit over Gaza

Sunday is the final day of the Premier League season, with both Manchester City and Arsenal in contention to win the title. A victory against visitors West Ham will guarantee a fourth championship in a row for City.

Manchester

Man City know ‘it’s win or Arsenal will be champions’

New York police have beaten and arrested several protesters at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Brooklyn, according to witnesses. The New York Post said at least 12 people were arrested.

New York

Pro-Palestine protesters beaten, arrested in New York

There were ugly scenes in Melbourne city as hundreds of pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protest groups clashed with each other. With tensions flaring, a significant police presence blocked off streets and separated the rival demonstrators.

Melbourne

Palestinian and Israeli protestors clash in Melbourne

A police officer has been stabbed in the back of the head in an unprovoked attack near Hyde Park in Sydney city. The injured constable then chased his attacker, who was eventually tasered by a patrolling riot squad officer.

Council of the City of Sydney

Police officer stabbed in Sydney CBD

Crews in the U.S. city of Houston are working to restore power to nearly one million homes and businesses, after storms caused widespread damage. A Texas official says some residents could be without power for weeks.

Houston

Seven dead after powerful storms slam Houston, Texas

Heavy rains caused flooding in parts of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands overnight into this morning, swamping streets and buildings and sparking evacuations.

Berlin

Floods in parts of northern Europe after heavy rains

One more person was killed and two injured in France's Pacific territory of New Caledonia as security personnel tried to restore order after a fifth night of riots and looting that has now claimed six lives.

Nouméa

Some neighbourhoods out of control in New Caledonia riots

Three Spanish tourists were killed and at least one Spaniard was injured in an attack by gunmen in Afghanistan's central Bamyan province, Spain's foreign ministry said on Friday.

Bamyan

Spanish tourists killed in Afghanistan shooting

Gregor Haas, father of Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas, has been arrested in the Philippines. Authorities allege that he attempted to smuggle five kilograms of methamphetamine into Indonesia, a crime that carries the death penalty.

Cebu City

Father of NRL star arrested in Philippines

A new temporary pier built by the U.S. is helping bring desperately needed aid to Gaza. The first shipment of humanitarian aid has already started rolling into the besieged enclave, but UN officials say it's no replacement for deliveries by land.

Rafah

Aid rolls into Gaza as U.S. constructed pier opens

Surveillance video from a hotel in 2016 appears to show rapper and record mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs grab, shove, drag and kick his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, matching allegations she made in a now-settled civil suit against him.

Los Angeles

Video emerges of Sean 'Diddy' Combs assaulting woman

The world's number one ranked golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested early this morning on his way to the PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky. He is facing four charges including assault of an officer, after allegedly dodging a pedestrian death investigation.

Louisville

Scheffler, top ranked golfer arrested outside tournament

Hundreds of French police reinforcements have arrived in Noumea amid deadly riots that have claimed the lives of five people. The unrest follows plans to change electoral rolls to allow more French residents to vote.

French force arrives in New Caledonia

Aid trucks have started moving through a U.S.-built pier anchored off Gaza's coast, the U.S. Central Command said on Friday (May 17), marking the first batch of aid to reach Gaza by sea in weeks.

Jerusalem

Aid trucks begin moving through Gaza pier, U.S. says

Israel was at the International Court of Justice Friday (May 17), defending its military operation in Gaza. The United Nations' top court wrapped up a third round of hearings on emergency measures requested by South Africa, which says Israel’s military incursion in Rafah threatens the “very survival of Palestinians in Gaza."

The Hague

Israel responds to genocide charges at U.N. court

Speaking at the end of his state visit to China, President Vladimir Putin said that Russian forces advancing in Ukraine's northeast were carving out a buffer zone to protect Russia from attacks. Ukraine's top commander warned of "heavy battles" looming on the war's new front in the Kharkiv region.

Kharkiv

Ukraine Invasion

Putin says Russia carving out 'buffer zone' around Kharkiv

FIFA will take independent legal advice on a call by the Palestinian Football Association to suspend its Israeli counterpart over events in Gaza, the world body's president said Friday (May 17).

Bangkok

FIFA to seek legal advice over Israel suspension

French police shot dead an armed man who set fire to a synagogue in the northwestern city of Rouen. Officers opened fire when the assailant threw an iron bar at them and threatened them with a knife as he left the building.

Rouen

French police kill attempted synagogue arsonist

The United States military on Thursday (May 17) said it had finished installing a floating pier for the Gaza Strip, with officials poised to begin ferrying humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.

Gaza floating pier project for aid deliveries complete

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico is stable but his condition remains serious after undergoing several hours of surgery. Fico was shot five times in the central town of Handlova after he left a government meeting. The assassination attempt shocked the country and drew global condemnation.

Handlová

Slovakia PM in stable condition after surgery

At their bilateral meeting in Beijing, Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Xi Jinping of China stressed their close relationship through economic and military ties even though trade has come down since its peak in 2023. Some analysts say the drop may be related to Chinese banks' fears of U.S. sanctions for technology sales with Russia.

Beijing

Putin, Xi reinforce ties amid U.S. pressure to halt tech sales

A major reinforcement operation is underway to bolster security forces in the French Pacific island territory of New Caledonia. The airlift of police and soldiers follows three nights of protests over electoral reform. Four people have died in the unrest, including a police officer.

France sends forces to New Caledonia amid deadly riots

The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would force President Joe Biden to send weapons to Israel, seeking to rebuke the Democrat for delaying bomb shipments as he urges Israel to do more to protect civilians during its war with Hamas.

Washington

U.S. House bill requires Biden to send weapons to Israel

At the former U.S. president's trial on Thursday, Donald Trump's lawyer accused star witness Michael Cohen of lying about a phone conversation he claimed to have had with Trump about a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 presidential election.

Manhattan

Trump's lawyer accuses Cohen of lying at hush money trial

Authorities have charged an alleged gunman with the attempted murder of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Following emergency surgery, Fico's condition is now listed as stable but serious.

Banská Bystrica

Alleged gunman charged with Slovak PM's attempted murder

Peter Dutton has announced if the Opposition wins Government it will cut permanent migration numbers in half in an effort to ease the housing supply crisis.

Canberra

Opposition plans to slash foreign arrivals

France has deployed troops to New Caledonia's ports and international airport, banned TikTok and imposed a state of emergency after three nights of clashes that have left four dead and hundreds wounded.

TikTok banned in New Caledonia amid riots

Leaders Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin framed their nations' ties as a stabilizing force in a chaotic world as they met in Beijing. It is Putin's first trip abroad since his March re-election and the second in just over six months to China, an economic lifeline for Russia.

Russia's Vladimir Putin meets China's Xi Jinping in Beijing

This week, the U.S. Department of Justice said Boeing did not hold up their end of the bargain after 737 Max crashes and now it's a possibility the company could face charges.