A new spacecraft developed by aircraft giant Boeing as a successor to the Space Shuttle in the United States has been launched in tests for manned flight.
SpaceX spacecraft have already been put into practical use in the development of successors, but NASA = NASA wants to secure multiple flight means for stable operation.
Boeing is developing the spacecraft "Starliner" as a successor to the Space Shuttle, and conducted an unmanned test for manned flight on the 20th of Japan time.
The "Starliner" was launched by an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Base in Florida, USA, and about 15 minutes later it was separated from the rocket and entered the orbit toward the International Space Station.
Development of the "Starliner" has been significantly delayed due to software problems in an unmanned test flight three years ago, the docking to the International Space Station was stopped, and the launch was postponed last year due to equipment defects. ..
As a successor to the Space Shuttle, the SpaceX manned spacecraft has already been put into practical use, but NASA wants to secure multiple means of flight for stable transportation to the International Space Station.
The "Starliner" will be docked at the International Space Station around 8 am on the 21st of Japan time.