Katherine Firkin: US Correspondent on Boeing's Starliner capsule's launch

Third time’s a charm for Boeing as its first manned ship takes off to space. 

Previous launch attempts had been called off due to system and machinery failures.  

Two veteran NASA astronauts are riding aboard the Starliner capsule, on a journey to the International Space Station. 

US correspondent Katherine Firkin told Mike Hosking that it's a much-needed win for Boeing. 

She says the manufacturer had lots of bad press recently including a door blowing out of an Alaskan airlines plane. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
International correspondence with ends in eye insurance peace of mind
for New Zealand business. Michael of course went leading in France.
Great example right there of losing track of the days
while on holiday and maybe if you few red Wine,
beautiful part of the world.

Speaker 2 (00:12):
For sure.

Speaker 1 (00:13):
Yes, no, I'm glad we got that sorted out and
you enjoy your time there. Quarter to six, Where are
we going? The State's Catherine Ferkin, very good morning.

Speaker 2 (00:20):
To you, Hi there, mate.

Speaker 1 (00:22):
I reckon Boeing will be pretty pleased they got it
off the ground at last, won't they?

Speaker 2 (00:25):
Yes, Thank goodness. It really was a case of third
time as a charm for Boeing Starline a capsule which
finally blasted off into space this morning. Of course, that
came after two failed attempts, and in comparison to those
two scrubbed launches, today's launch was as smooth as you
could hope for. Starliner blasted off from Kate Canavil's space station.

(00:46):
Within fifteen minutes, the spacecraft was flying free in space.
It had a brief burn of its engines thirty minutes
after launch, and that took it the rest of the
way to orbit. So that effectively means that We've got
two NASA astronauts now on their way to the International
Space Station. They're going to spend eight days there and
then they'll return to Earth. I do want to point
out that today's launch is important for just a couple

(01:08):
of reasons. Of course, the first that Boeing really did
need a bit of a win for its brand and
for its confidence. It's obviously come on the back of
those really self inflicted wounds we've seen recently from Boring.
You know, we saw that horrific incident of a door
blowing out during an Alaska airline's flight. So the fact
that this spacecraft was designed and built by Boeing is

(01:30):
definitely a win for them. But it also makes the
United States the first country that can now choose which
model of spacecraft it will send astronauts to fly into
orbit from its soil. And as we've seen just days
ago with China launching managing to successfully land a craft
on the far side of the Moon, that race to
sort of win the global space exploration challenge is really

(01:52):
heating up. We've got United States, China, even Japan now
in the race to send astronauts back to the Moon.

Speaker 1 (01:58):
We're are we it with Hunter Biden.

Speaker 2 (02:00):
Oh, that's a great question. Aren't we living in crazy times?
We've just had Donald Trump convicted on criminal charge in
New York. Now we've got President Biden's son Hunter facing
criminal charges in DC. Of course, this trial is all
about his efforts to obtain a firearm in twenty eighteen
while allegedly being addicted to drugs. We've heard a bit
more information from FBI special agent Erika Jensen today, who

(02:23):
was the trial's first witness. She was adamant that several
photos that have been shown to the jury were of
drug substances allegedly used by a Hunter. We also heard
from Hunter's ex wife, Kathleen Buell, who described how after
twenty five years, their marriage deteriorated under the weight of
Hunter's drug and alcohol addiction. Her testimony was really quite compelling,

(02:45):
I have to say, although under cross examinations she said
she'd never personally seen him taking drugs. We are expecting
a bit of a big finish today, though, Mike, because
Hallie Biden might testify. That is, of course Hunter's one
time romantic partner. She is also the widow to the
late Borrow Biden, and as far as President Biden's the

(03:06):
optics of all of these and how the Biden found
you being dragged through the courts. Now, you know, it's
certainly not the timing that the President would like, and
they will be hoping this all wraps up pretty quickly.

Speaker 1 (03:16):
Oh, it's a pleasure, Katherine to go well. Katherine Ferking
out of the sites for us this morning.

Speaker 2 (03:21):
For more from News Talks at b listen live on
air or online, and

Speaker 1 (03:25):
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