Boeing's Starliner spacecraft has launched its first crew of astronauts to orbit in a significant test mission aimed at reaching the International Space Station (ISS). The CST-100 Starliner, carrying astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams, lifted off from Cape Canaveral aboard an Atlas V rocket. This mission marks a critical milestone for Boeing, which seeks to compete with SpaceX's Crew Dragon.

After a series of delays and technical issues, Starliner successfully separated from its rocket and began its journey to the ISS. This mission follows a previous unmanned test flight in 2022, and it is essential for NASA's certification of Starliner for regular astronaut missions.

The spacecraft, designed with funding from NASA, aims to provide a second reliable transportation option to the ISS. Boeing's program chief, Mark Nappi, emphasized the importance of the mission, noting that every element of the launch had to align perfectly.

Astronauts Wilmore and Williams, both veterans of space missions, are set to join the current ISS crew for an eight-day stay before returning to Earth. This successful launch is a major step for Boeing as it continues to develop and improve its spaceflight capabilities, despite previous challenges and delays.