KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Some astronauts are preparing to return to space soon as part of a mission to test a new piece of equipment designed to take people into the stars — the Boeing Starliner. The mission is named the "Crew Flight Test" and will include an astronaut from East Tennessee.
Barry "Butch" Wilmore, from Tennessee, is going to join Suni Williams during the launch set for May 6 at 9:34 p.m. Eastern time. They are headed to the International Space Station aboard the Starliner, and the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, according to a release from Tennessee Tech.
The release also said he is expected to speak with the campus community on May 10, broadcasting from aboard the International Space Station. Students will have the chance to ask him questions.
During a conference on Friday, NASA said the mission will mark the sixth time it has tested new crew transportation spacecraft. Williams and Wilmore will be the first ones to ride on the new Boeing Starliner.
"This is all a part of our commercial activities. So, you've already seen commercial crew and cargo to orbit with The Dragon and other cargo vehicles. This will give us that additional capability because we always look for a backup," said Bill Nelson, a NASA administrator, during NASA's Friday conference.
Wilmore has two degrees and an honorary doctorate from Tennessee Tech. He is from Mt. Juliet and received Tennessee Tech's 2010 Outstanding Alumni Award for the College of Engineering, according to a release from the college.