Cape Canaveral, Florida – A recent image captured by an Earth-observing satellite unveils Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft docked at the International Space Station (ISS). The Starliner, which reached the ISS on June 6, transported NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams for a Crew Flight Test (CFT). The photograph, taken by Maxar Technologies’ WorldView-3 satellite the following day, showcases the ISS with the Starliner prominently visible near the center.
Typically focused on observing Earth from 385 miles above the planet, the WorldView-3 satellite demonstrated its ability to capture objects in orbit with this unique snapshot. Referred to as non-Earth imaging (NEI), this groundbreaking capability allows Maxar to support crucial space domain awareness missions for various government and commercial clients.
As satellite deployments to orbit increase, including megaconstellations like SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network with over 6,000 active spacecraft, monitoring the growing orbital population becomes imperative. This surge in satellite presence highlights the need for higher priority in non-Earth imaging for organizations invested in space exploration.
The Crew Flight Test marks Starliner’s inaugural crewed mission, expected to return to Earth after June 18 pending a successful mission. Upon completion, the capsule will be authorized for extended astronaut missions to and from the ISS for NASA. SpaceX, a key player in this field, currently operates Crew Dragon capsule flights to the ISS regularly, highlighting the increasing commercial activity in space exploration.
The utilization of satellite imagery for space domain awareness, coupled with the advancements in spacecraft technology by companies like Boeing and SpaceX, underscores the progressive nature of space exploration initiatives. The competition and collaboration between commercial space companies continue to drive innovation in crewed space missions, changing the landscape of space exploration.