Barry "Butch" Wilmore, a Middle Tennessee native, embarked on a historic space journey aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, accompanying fellow astronaut Suni Williams to the International Space Station (ISS) for a week-long mission. The successful liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station marks a significant stride for Boeing’s space program, following a series of setbacks including two scrapped countdowns since May due to technical complications.

The duo is tasked with piloting and evaluating the Starliner capsule, which is not just a reusable vehicle but is Boeing's latest entrant in a series of spacecraft designed for astronaut transport. Wilmore, a decorated naval aviator and a graduate of Tennessee Tech University, is no stranger to spaceflights and expressed his preparedness prior to the launch, “When the going gets tough, and it often does, the tough get going,” he told WKRN. The mission involved a 25-hour travel to dock at the ISS and is set for a desert landing upon return on June 14.

While the recent spacecraft flaws and safety issues have been a concern for Boeing, the astronauts voiced their trust in the mission. “Let’s get going!” Wilmore reportedly called out just minutes before the final countdown, according to a statement obtained by WPLN. This launch also signifies the 100th of an Atlas V, and notably, it's the first time astronauts have soared on an Atlas rocket since John Glenn's Mercury era over six decades ago.

Tennessee Tech University has proudly celebrated the achievement of its alumnus and trustee. Wilmore's mission is marked with personal engagement activities, including a scheduled video Q&A with children of Tech faculty and staff, as detailed by NewsChannel 9. “Through his character and accomplishments, Barry has made Tennessee Tech enormously proud,” remarked Dr. Philip Oldham, president of Tennessee Tech University, highlighting the astronaut's deep ties and continued contributions to the institution.

Interest in the Starliner test flight has been heightened given the long road to its fruition, with astronauts and observers alike rooting for its success. Mike Fincke, the backup pilot for this test flight, expressed the collective sentiment with, “I feel like a whole planet was cheering for them,” during an interview at Kennedy Space Center recounted by WPLN. The mission's outcome will determine the future cadence of NASA's taxi flights to the ISS, which may start alternating between SpaceX and Boeing as early as next year if things proceed smoothly.