CCP Astronaut Eric Boe with GOES-S

NASA astronaut Eric Boe, one of four astronauts working with the agency’s Commercial Crew Program, checked out the Crew Access Tower at Space Launch Complex 41. The United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V in the background carried NOAA’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-S into orbit March 1. Later this year, the Atlas V also will carry astronauts to the International Space Station. Along with NASA, Boeing and ULA engineers, Boe inspected the launch pad and tower to establish whether spotlight and lighting conditions will be acceptable after dark. The survey helped to ensure crew members will have suitable visibility as they prepare to board Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft and launch on missions such as the Crew Flight Test to the International Space Station, targeted for later this year.