NASA Mission Strengthens 40-Year Friendship
==========

NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore launches aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft to the International Space Station on May 6, with his friend Billy Stover playing a key role in getting him there. Stover, the chief safety officer for NASA's Commercial Crew Program, and Wilmore have been friends for over 40 years since their time at Tennessee Tech University. Stover oversees coordination and integration within NASA's Commercial Crew Program to ensure crew safety. Wilmore and NASA astronaut will fly Starliner for about a one-week stay aboard the space station. Stover and Wilmore have maintained their friendship over the years, even when their careers took them in different directions. Stover considers Wilmore a mentor to his son, who is in the Navy. Both men have a love for theme parks and frequently plan trips together. Stover will miss the launch due to a pre-booked transatlantic cruise. NASA's Commercial Crew Program aims to launch astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from American soil to the International Space Station.



https://www.miragenews.com/nasa-mission-strengthens-40-year-friendship-1227118/