UT alum Barry “Butch” Wilmore headed to space [Video]

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Some astronauts are preparing to return to space soon as part of a mission to test a new piece of equipment designed to take people into the stars — the Boeing Starliner. The mission is named the “Crew Flight Test” and will include an astronaut from East Tennessee.

Barry “Butch” Wilmore, from Tennessee, is going to join Suni Williams during the launch set for May 6 at 9:34 p.m. Eastern time. They are headed to the International Space Station aboard the Starliner, and the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, according to a release from Tennessee Tech.

The release also said he is expected to speak with the campus community on May 10, broadcasting from aboard the International Space Station. Students will have the chance to ask him questions.

During a conference on Friday, NASA said the mission …