Boeing Starliner to attempt second uncrewed flight to space station

[Still Waters]

Boeing is to attempt the second uncrewed test flight of its new Starliner capsule to the International Space Station as it bids for more NASA contracts.

While the capsule has been successfully tested on the ground, orbital test flights for the CST-100 have faced several delays and software problems.

Boeing and NASA are aiming to use a resupply mission on 30 July to demonstrate that the spacecraft can launch, dock with the International Space Station, re-enter the Earth's atmosphere and perform a desert landing safely.

https://news.sky.com/story/boeing-starliner-to-attempt-second-uncrewed-flight-to-space-station-12364447

[Still Waters]

Boeing delays key uncrewed test flight to ISS

Boeing delayed an uncrewed flight of its Starliner capsule to the International Space Station (ISS) on Tuesday over a propulsion issue, pushing back a key test it last attempted in 2019.

The spaceship had been due to launch on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida early in the afternoon.

But just over two hours before lift-off, the company tweeted it was scrubbing the flight.

A statement by NASA said the test was canceled not because of inclement weather but "due to unexpected valve position indications in the Starliner propulsion system." The next available launch opportunity is at 12:57 pm Eastern time (1657 GMT) on Wednesday, pending resolution of the problem.

https://phys.org/news/2021-08-boeing-key-uncrewed-flight-iss.html

[Still Waters]

Boeing Starliner launch delayed indefinitely

Boeing's Starliner won't launch Wednesday as had been planned following problems with its propulsion system that prevented a key uncrewed test flight to the international space station a day earlier—and it's not clear when the troubled spaceship will fly next.

The aerospace giant said in a statement that valves in Starliner's engine were in "unexpected" positions, forcing the mission team to halt the countdown.

NASA added that engineering teams have ruled out several potential causes, including a software glitch, but need more time to understand the issue.

https://phys.org/news/2021-08-boeing-starliner-indefinitely.html

[Still Waters]

Boeing aims for unmanned Starliner test flight in first half of 2022

Boeing is aiming for a test flight of its unmanned CST-100 Starliner capsule in the first half of next year and a potential launch of its crewed spacecraft at the end of 2022, company officials said Tuesday.

The CST-100 had been scheduled to fly to the International Space Station (ISS) from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on August 3 but the flight was aborted just hours before launch because of problems with propulsion system valves.

Boeing officials told reporters in a briefing on Tuesday that they were still conducting testing of the valves but they may heve become stuck because of moisture or condensation.

"Normal environment humidity was likely the source of that moisture in the valves," Michelle Parker, Boeing Space and Launch chief engineer, said.

https://phys.org/news/2021-10-boeing-aims-unmanned-starliner-flight.html

[+Jon the frog]

22 hours ago, Still Waters said:

Boeing aims for unmanned Starliner test flight in first half of 2022

Boeing is aiming for a test flight of its unmanned CST-100 Starliner capsule in the first half of next year and a potential launch of its crewed spacecraft at the end of 2022, company officials said Tuesday.

The CST-100 had been scheduled to fly to the International Space Station (ISS) from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on August 3 but the flight was aborted just hours before launch because of problems with propulsion system valves.

Boeing officials told reporters in a briefing on Tuesday that they were still conducting testing of the valves but they may heve become stuck because of moisture or condensation.

"Normal environment humidity was likely the source of that moisture in the valves," Michelle Parker, Boeing Space and Launch chief engineer, said.

https://phys.org/news/2021-10-boeing-aims-unmanned-starliner-flight.html

Boeing need to up their game...

[Still Waters]

NASA, Boeing ready for long-delayed, high-stakes Starliner test flight

Running years late, Boeing’s Starliner crew capsule program is poised for a crucial unpiloted test flight to the International Space Station set for launch Thursday, a do-over of an abbreviated 2019 demo mission that has cost the aerospace contractor nearly $600 million.

The Starliner crew capsule is scheduled for liftoff on the Orbital Flight Test 2, or OFT-2 mission, from Cape Canaveral at 6:54 p.m. EDT (2254 GMT) Thursday on top of a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket.

ULA, Boeing, and NASA, which oversees the Starliner commercial crew contract, gave a green light Tuesday to proceed with final launch preparations. Managers convened for a launch readiness review and gave a “go” to press on with the mission.

https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/05/17/nasa-boeing-ready-for-long-delayed-high-stakes-starliner-test-flight/

[Still Waters]

Boeing's Starliner astronaut capsule launches on test flight

The American Boeing company has launched its new astronaut capsule on a demonstration flight from Florida.

Called Starliner, the vehicle left Cape Canaveral Space Force Station atop an Atlas rocket on a mission to showcase how it can ferry human crews to and from the International Space Station.

It's the second such test flight.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-61511750

[spartan max2]

That's pretty cool, I hope it works this time 

[Still Waters]

Boeing docks crew capsule to space station in test do-over

With only a test dummy aboard, Boeing's astronaut capsule pulled up and parked at the International Space Station for the first time Friday, a huge achievement for the company after years of false starts.

With Starliner's arrival, NASA finally realizes its longtime effort to have crew capsules from competing U.S. companies flying to the space station.

SpaceX already has a running start. Elon Musk's company pulled off the same test three years ago and has since launched 18 astronauts to the space station, as well as tourists.

"Today marks a great milestone," NASA astronaut Bob Hines radioed from the orbiting complex. "Starliner is looking beautiful on the front of the station," he added.

The only other time Boeing's Starliner flew in space, it never got anywhere near the station, ending up in the wrong orbit.

https://phys.org/news/2022-05-boeing-docks-crew-capsule-space.html

[Still Waters]

Boeing capsule lands back on Earth after space shakedown

Boeing's crew taxi returned to Earth from the International Space Station on Wednesday, completing a repeat test flight before NASA astronauts climb aboard.

It was a quick trip back: The Starliner capsule parachuted into the New Mexico desert just four hours after leaving the orbiting lab, with airbags attached to cushion the landing. Only a mannequin was buckled in.

Aside from thruster failures and cooling system snags, Starliner appeared to clinch its high-stakes shakedown cruise, 2 1/2 years after its botched first try. Flight controllers in Houston applauded and cheered the bull's-eye touchdown.

"It's great to have this incredible test flight behind us," said Steve Stich, director of NASA's commercial crew program. He described the demo as "extremely successful," with all objectives met.

https://phys.org/news/2022-05-boeing-capsule-earth-space-shakedown.html