'It's exciting': Spectators of all ages watch as Starliner launches into history
The hot Florida sun beat down on spectators at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex as they witnessed history. Atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, Boeing's Starliner spacecraft jumped off the launch pad and into the sky, letting off a loud rumble as it soared into the sky.
After a moment of silence, the crowd erupted into cheers as the rocket disappeared behind a cloud. Starliner was on its way to the International Space Station, carrying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams — a moment which many had waited nearly a month to see.
Originally set to launch on May 6, the inaugural crewed launch of Boeing's Starliner was scrubbed due to an oxygen valve on the Atlas V rocket, and then later delayed due to a helium leak coming from a thruster on the spacecraft. Crews attempted a launch again on Saturday, June 1, yet the countdown was stopped with just under four minutes to liftoff due to a malfunctioning ground launch computer.
Starliner lifts off from Cape Canaveral, Florida
This time was a different story. At 10:52 a.m. on Wednesday, Starliner bolted off of Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Test pilots turned NASA astronauts Williams and Wilmore are set to test all aspects of the spacecraft as part of the certification process required before Starliner can join the regular rotation of ferrying NASA astronauts to the station alongside SpaceX's Dragon.
At KSC's Visitor Complex, crowds gather to watch history take place. After erupting into cheers, most stayed to watch the rocket as it disappeared into the sky. Excited chatter filled the crowd at the Apollo Saturn V Center.
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Barbara Kerrigan had come up from Hutchinson Island on Saturday to witness this historic launch, only to be disappointed. She said she's gotten more interested in what is happening within the space industry with the increasing number of launches over the past year. Typically, she watches Starlink watches from her home, yet with this being a crewed launch, she knew she had to be at the Visitor Complex.
"I prayed for it, because of what has happened in the past," said Kerrigan with 10 minutes to go until the launch of Starliner. "It's exciting, but I just want to know it gets there."
Gabriel Cornell-Webb, 14, sat with his father as he waited to see Starliner finally lift off. They came from St. Johns to see the event up close. "I'm excited. I'm just hoping it actually does launch," said Cornell-Webb before adding how crewed launches are a rare sight to catch.
Cornell-Webb said he plans to work in aerospace engineering specializing in propulsion.
Dayton Zeigler, 11, aimed his camera at the Atlas V rocket off in the distance. He's seen launches from a distance but never this close, he said.
"I want to try to get photos of it," Dayton said quietly. "I like photography a lot."
Myles Spillers, 15, was present with his family to witness the launch. They'd gotten lucky; the family is in Florida on vacation from Illinois, and the trip just happened to coincide with Starliner's launch.
"I'm glad that it got pushed back because now we're in lorida watching it live," said Spillers, who is interested in astrophysics. He said he plans to study mechanical engineering and minor in aerospace in his future college studies.
Be sure to follow the FLORIDA TODAY Space Team at floridatoday.com/space for the latest updates from the Space Coast.
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Boeing Starliner launch delights crowd in Cape Canaveral, Florida
