Boeing Starliner rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, will send 2 NASA astronauts to the International Space Station.
Starliner, we are ready for you.
As Boeing prepares to launch its Starliner capsule on its first crewed mission as soon as 10:34 pm EDT Monday, May 6, from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, NASA’s social media channels are preparing for viewers who can’t see the historic launch in person. And FLORIDA TODAY’s Space Team, which consists of award-winning reporter Rick Neale, reporter Brooke Edwards and veteran visuals journalist Craig Bailey, has its own coverage plans complete with a live blog, tweets, video and photos from Cape Canaveral, near Kennedy Space Center and across Brevard County.
Who’s the Starliner crew? On board the rocket will be two NASA astronauts: Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams, both Navy test pilots. They have each flown in space twice.
Dubbed NASA’s Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test Launch for livestreams online, coverage starts at 6:30 pm EDT Monday. Keep scrolling for information on the long-anticipated Starliner rocket launch and how to watch our Space Team’s coverage on various platforms, from your Android or iPhone to your big screen in your living room.
What is Boeing’s Starliner?
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft will transport NASA astronauts. The company calls it the Crew Space Transportation (CST)-100 Starliner, or simply “Starliner.” Set to launch no earlier than May 6, 2024, it will make history as the first spacecraft to ferry humans from Space Launch Complex 41 in Cape Canaveral. The launch pad has been the site for historic missions beginning with the Titan rockets in 1965 and including the New Horizons deep space probe, the Voyager spacecraft, and even the Curiosity Mars rover.
Starliner will be launched with the help of a United Launch Alliance (a partnership between Boeing and Lockheed Martin) Atlas V rocket. The Atlas V rocket has launched from the site since 2002, but this will be the first time it carries astronauts to space.
Who are the NASA astronauts flying into space for Starliner launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida?
The two NASA astronauts flying this commercial crew mission are Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams. Both are Navy test pilots. They have each flown in space twice and both bring a wide variety of experiences to the flight.
Williams was originally a helicopter test pilot before switching to flying jets. She’s preparing to fly to space for the third time, as the crew test flight pilot.
This will be Wilmore’s third spaceflight as well. Before becoming a NASA astronaut, Wilmore was a US Navy captain, fighter pilot, and test pilot, accumulating more than 8,000 hours of flight time. Wilmore flew the FA-18 Hornet and T-45 Goshawk, playing a role in missions during Operation Desert Storm, Desert Shield and Southern Watch.
Monday, May 6: NASA’s Boeing Starliner crewed flight test
How to watch Starliner rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, online
Tune in to floridatoday.com/space for USA TODAY Network’s Space Team live coverage and updates on the Boeing Starliner rocket launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, starting at 6:30 pm EDT Monday. You can download the free app for iPhone or Android or type floridatoday.com/space into your browser.
In Florida, we can best see this historic moment in person if you’re anywhere on the Space Coast (Brevard County) or certain spots in the First Coast or Fun Coast (Volusia County) or the Treasure Coast (Indian River County, St. Lucie County and Martin County). Pro tip: If you do watch it in person, get to your viewing destination early and prepare to stay later after the launch because of heavy traffic.
How to watch Boeing Starliner rocket launch from your phone, iPad or tablet with FLORIDA TODAY Space Team coverage
When and where: Full coverage of the launch, including a live webcast with live tweets and updates, kicks off at 6:30 pm EDT Monday, May 6, at floridatoday.com/space (you can type this on your browser on your phone) and will feature in-depth coverage. Ask our FLORIDA TODAY space team reporters Rick Neale and Brooke Edwards questions and strike up a conversation. You also can watch coverage via the FLORIDA TODAY app, which is available in the App Store or Google Play. FLORIDA TODAY is part of the USA TODAY Network.
How to watch NASA’s Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test launch on TV, how to watch Starliner launch from Florida on YouTube
If you have streaming services on your flatscreen, computer, tablet or phone, you can watch NASA’s Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test Launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida. This will require the FLORIDA TODAY app (see above) and the option to “mirror” from your phone to the TV, or the YouTube app to watch the NASA live broadcast (which is above).
From your TV apps, select the YouTube app, search for NASA’s channel and click on the NASA’s Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test Launch live broadcast for Monday, May 6, 2024.
How to watch NASA Starliner launch on Twitter (and whom to follow!)
NASA will have a broadcast on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, on its account: @NASA.
Follow along with FLORIDA TODAY experts on Twitter: Space Team at @SpaceTeamRick Neale at @rickneale1Brooke Edwards at @brookeofstars with amazing visuals from Craig Bailey at @cbphoto1. We’ll link back to our live coverage at @Florida_Today and at floridatoday.com.
How to watch NASA Starliner rocket launch live on Facebook
NASA has posted a Facebook Watch live event and will broadcast the Starliner rocket launch livestream on its Facebook page at facebook.com/nasa.
How to watch NASA Starliner rocket launch from Roku, Amazon Fire
For viewers who have a Roku box or Amazon Fire TV Stick, select the YouTube app, search for NASA’s channel and click on the NASA’s Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test Launch live broadcast for Monday, May 6, 2024.
Can you watch Starliner rocket launch from Florida on TikTok?
NASA has a voice on many social media platforms, however, NASA is not on TikTok, the popular video-sharing social media platform. There is no NASA Starliner rocket launch broadcast scheduled from TikTok. However, there will likely be TikTok videos about the launch − from the Space Coast of Florida and beyond as this is a historic event.
Can you watch NASA Starliner rocket launch on Instagram?
NASA does have an official Instagram account (@NASA), as does United Launch Alliance (@ulalaunch), but there is no announcement online if the space agency will host an Instagram livestream. Likely, NASA and possibly ULA will post Instagram Reels and an Instagram Story (or two) about the Boeing Starliner rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
FLORIDA TODAY will have coverage of Starliner launch on Instagram via @Florida_Today and veteran award-winning photojournalist Craig Bailey at @crbphoto1.
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.
