Space and Tech
LIFTOFF! NASA Astronauts Pilot First Starliner Crewed Test to Station
Exciting news as NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams successfully launch on the first crewed test flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft to the International Space Station! #NASA #Starliner #SpaceExploration
Exciting news from the world of space exploration! NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have successfully lifted off on the first crewed flight test aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. Their mission: to travel to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch took place on Wednesday at 10:52 a.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
This significant milestone is part of NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test, which aims to validate the Starliner system for future rotational missions to the ISS. The flight test will provide essential data on the Starliner’s transportation system, launch pad, rocket, spacecraft, and in-orbit operations capabilities.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressed his excitement about this historic first test flight, stating, “Boeing’s Starliner marks a new chapter of American exploration. Human spaceflight is a daring task – but that’s why it’s worth doing. It’s an exciting time for NASA, our commercial partners, and the future of exploration.”
Throughout the mission, Boeing’s team in Houston will monitor the spacecraft’s automatic maneuvers, ensuring everything goes according to plan. NASA teams will also closely follow the operations at the ISS from their Mission Control Center.
Once the Starliner docks autonomously to the station’s forward-facing port on Thursday at approximately 12:15 p.m., Wilmore and Williams will begin conducting various tests to verify the spacecraft’s performance. They will test the environmental control system, the displays and control system, and maneuver the thrusters, among other tasks.
Upon their safe arrival at the ISS, Wilmore and Williams will join the current Expedition 71 crew, which consists of NASA astronauts Michael Barratt, Matt Dominick, Tracy C. Dyson, and Jeanette Epps, as well as Roscosmos cosmonauts Nikolai Chub, Alexander Grebenkin, and Oleg Kononenko.
If you’re eager to follow this exciting journey, NASA has provided a schedule of upcoming events for fans to watch:
- On Thursday, June 6, coverage will begin at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The target docking time is 12:15 p.m., followed by the opening of the hatch at 2 p.m. Welcome remarks will take place at 2:20 p.m.
- A post-docking news conference will occur at 3:30 p.m. NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free, Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, Jeff Arend, manager for systems engineering and integration at NASA’s International Space Station Office, and Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager of Boeing’s Commercial Crew Program, will participate in the conference.
- On Saturday, June 8, at 8:50 a.m., astronauts Wilmore and Williams will provide a tour of the Starliner spacecraft.
- On Monday, June 10, at 11 a.m., Williams will speak to students from Sunita L. Williams Elementary School in Needham, Massachusetts.
- Finally, on Tuesday, June 11, at 3:15 p.m., Wilmore will speak to students from Tennessee Tech University.
These events will be covered on NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency’s website.
Butch Wilmore, the mission commander, brings extensive experience to the crew. He has already completed two spaceflights and spent a total of 178 days in space. Suni Williams, the spacecraft pilot, has also amassed an impressive track record, with 322 days in space across two missions. She has conducted seven spacewalks and holds more than 3,000 flight hours.
This extraordinary NASA-Boeing collaboration through the Commercial Crew Program demonstrates the agency’s commitment to safe and cost-effective transportation to and from the ISS. Such partnerships pave the way for expanded access to low Earth orbit, enabling more scientific research, commercial opportunities, and ultimately, future missions to the Moon and Mars.
So, get ready to witness history in the making as Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams embark on this crucial mission to the ISS. Let’s cheer them on, support their progress, and celebrate their safe return to Earth! Go Starliner! Go, Butch and Suni!
Learn more about NASA’s Commercial Crew program at:
https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew
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Last Updated on February 10, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Valerie Thomas is a true pioneer in the world of science and technology. A NASA engineer and physicist, she is best known for inventing the illusion transmitter, a groundbreaking device that creates 3D images using concave mirrors. This invention laid the foundation for modern 3D imaging and virtual reality technologies.
Beyond her inventions, Thomas broke barriers as an African American woman in STEM, mentoring countless young scientists and advocating for diversity in science and engineering. Her work at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center helped advance satellite technology and data visualization, making her contributions both innovative and enduring.
In our latest short video, we highlight Valerie Thomas’ remarkable journey—from her early passion for science to her groundbreaking work at NASA. Watch and be inspired by a true STEM pioneer whose legacy continues to shape the future of space and technology.
🎥 Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/P5XTgpcAoHw
Dive into “The Knowledge,” where curiosity meets clarity. This playlist, in collaboration with STMDailyNews.com, is designed for viewers who value historical accuracy and insightful learning. Our short videos, ranging from 30 seconds to a minute and a half, make complex subjects easy to grasp in no time. Covering everything from historical events to contemporary processes and entertainment, “The Knowledge” bridges the past with the present. In a world where information is abundant yet often misused, our series aims to guide you through the noise, preserving vital knowledge and truths that shape our lives today. Perfect for curious minds eager to discover the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of everything around us. Subscribe and join in as we explore the facts that matter. https://stmdailynews.com/the-knowledge/
Forgotten Genius Fridays
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🧠 Forgotten Genius Fridays
A Short-Form Series from The Knowledge by STM Daily News
Every Friday, STM Daily News shines a light on brilliant minds history overlooked.
Forgotten Genius Fridays is a weekly collection of short videos and articles dedicated to inventors, innovators, scientists, and creators whose impact changed the world—but whose names were often left out of the textbooks.
From life-saving inventions and cultural breakthroughs to game-changing ideas buried by bias, our series digs up the truth behind the minds that mattered.
Each episode of The Knowledge runs 30–90 seconds, designed for curious minds on the go—perfect for YouTube Shorts, TikTok, Reels, and quick reads.
Because remembering these stories isn’t just about the past—it’s about restoring credit where it’s long overdue.
🔔 New episodes every Friday
📺 Watch now at: stmdailynews.com/the-knowledge
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The Knowledge
Beneath the Waves: The Global Push to Build Undersea Railways
Undersea railways are transforming transportation, turning oceans from barriers into gateways. Proven by tunnels like the Channel and Seikan, these innovations offer cleaner, reliable connections for passengers and freight. Ongoing projects in China and Europe, alongside future proposals, signal a new era of global mobility beneath the waves.
For most of modern history, oceans have acted as natural barriers—dividing nations, slowing trade, and shaping how cities grow. But beneath the waves, a quiet transportation revolution is underway. Infrastructure once limited by geography is now being reimagined through undersea railways.
Undersea rail tunnels—like the Channel Tunnel and Japan’s Seikan Tunnel—proved decades ago that trains could reliably travel beneath the ocean floor. Today, new projects are expanding that vision even further.
Around the world, engineers and governments are investing in undersea railways—tunnels that allow high-speed trains to travel beneath oceans and seas. Once considered science fiction, these projects are now operational, under construction, or actively being planned.
Undersea Rail Is Already a Reality
Japan’s Seikan Tunnel and the Channel Tunnel between the United Kingdom and France proved decades ago that undersea railways are not only possible, but reliable. These tunnels carry passengers and freight beneath the sea every day, reshaping regional connectivity.
Undersea railways are cleaner than short-haul flights, more resilient than bridges, and capable of lasting more than a century. As climate pressures and congestion increase, rail beneath the sea is emerging as a practical solution for future mobility.
What’s Being Built Right Now
China is currently constructing the Jintang Undersea Railway Tunnel as part of the Ningbo–Zhoushan high-speed rail line, while Europe’s Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link will soon connect Denmark and Germany beneath the Baltic Sea. These projects highlight how transportation and technology are converging to solve modern mobility challenges.
The Mega-Projects Still on the Drawing Board
Looking ahead, proposals such as the Helsinki–Tallinn Tunnel and the long-studied Strait of Gibraltar rail tunnel could reshape global affairs by linking regions—and even continents—once separated by water.
Why Undersea Rail Matters
The future of transportation may not rise above the ocean—but run quietly beneath it.
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Space and Tech
Blue Origin Launches First Human Spaceflight of 2026 with New Shepard NS-38
Blue Origin successfully completed its first human spaceflight of 2026 with New Shepard NS-38, carrying six private astronauts and marking 98 humans flown to space.
Blue Origin has officially kicked off its 2026 flight calendar, successfully completing the 38th mission of its New Shepard program and further solidifying its role in commercial human spaceflight.
The suborbital flight, known as NS-38, carried six private astronauts beyond the Kármán line, offering several minutes of weightlessness and sweeping views of Earth before a safe return to West Texas. The mission marks the first New Shepard launch of 2026 and another milestone for Blue Origin’s reusable spaceflight system.
Why I Want to Take the Train from Phoenix to Los Angeles – STM Daily News Podcast
The NS-38 Crew
The six-person crew aboard NS-38 included:
- Tim Drexler
- Dr. Linda Edwards
- Alain Fernandez
- Alberto Gutiérrez
- Jim Hendren
- Dr. Laura Stiles
With this flight, New Shepard has now flown 98 humans into space, representing 92 individual passengers. The growing total reflects Blue Origin’s emphasis on routine, repeatable access to space—once considered experimental, now becoming operational.
A Reliable Start to 2026
Blue Origin leadership emphasized reliability and customer trust as central priorities moving into the new year.
“As we enter 2026, we’re focused on continuing to deliver transformational experiences for our customers through the proven capability and reliability of New Shepard,” said Phil Joyce, Senior Vice President of New Shepard. “We are grateful for our astronaut customers who put their trust in our team to bring this experience into reality.”
The fully reusable New Shepard rocket and capsule system has demonstrated strong safety performance, autonomous operations, and consistent recovery—key elements in scaling human spaceflight.
Building Toward a Larger Vision
Beyond space tourism, New Shepard plays a foundational role in Blue Origin’s long-term goal of enabling millions of people to live and work in space for the benefit of Earth.
As the company’s first operational human spaceflight system, New Shepard supports:
- Reusable launch vehicle testing
- Human-rated safety system validation
- Increased launch cadence and manufacturing expertise
- Future Blue Origin programs and missions
Each successful flight expands operational confidence while helping normalize commercial access to space.
What’s Next for Aspiring Astronauts
Blue Origin continues to accept interest from future New Shepard passengers, with additional flights expected throughout 2026. The company also released commemorative merchandise from the NS-38 mission, now available through the Blue Origin Shop.
As commercial spaceflight matures, missions like NS-38 highlight the industry’s shift from novelty to normalcy—bringing space closer to scientists, explorers, and private citizens alike.
Related Articles & Information
- Blue Origin – New Shepard Program Overview
Official overview of Blue Origin’s reusable suborbital rocket and human spaceflight system. - Blue Origin – Human Spaceflight Missions
Details on past and upcoming crewed New Shepard missions. - NASA: Humans in Space
NASA’s overview of human spaceflight history and current programs. - Commercial Spaceflight: How Private Companies Are Changing Access to Space
STM Daily News coverage of the growing space tourism and commercial launch industry. - Reusable Rockets Explained: Why They Matter
An explainer on reusable rocket technology and its impact on space exploration.
For more updates, insights, and in-depth coverage of space exploration and commercial spaceflight, visit the STM Daily News blog at stmdailynews.com. From mission breakdowns to industry trends and technology explainers, STM Daily News keeps you informed about humanity’s journey beyond Earth.
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