After two consecutive failed launch attempts, the crewed Starliner capsule successfully launched on Wednesday, June 5, carrying two NASA astronauts to low Earth orbit. Boeing is testing the capsule’s capability to transport crews to the International Space Station (ISS), with Starliner docking at the ISS.
In development since 2010, Starliner is part of a $4.3 billion contract with NASA. Perhaps surprisingly, this is only the sixth vehicle owned or funded by the space agency to be used throughout the agency’s storied history.
The space agency has been around since 1958, yet only a select few spacecraft have transported NASA astronauts to space. Boeing’s Starliner now joins a rather exclusive list; here are all the spacecraft that have flown with NASA crews on board.
