NASA safety panel recommends agency review how it manages human spaceflight programsby Jeff Foust — January 18, 2022 [SN]
Among the issues raised in the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel report was a difference in opinion between NASA and Boeing on the risk posed vt stuck propulsion valves in the CST-100 Starliner that the panel said was evidence the two organizations "do not share a common understanding of how to assess and characterize risk." Credit: Boeing/John GrantWASHINGTON — NASA’s safety advisers are calling on the agency to reexamine how it manages human spaceflight programs to reflect the changing relationship with industry and to better run its core exploration effort.
https://spacenews.com/nasa-safety-panel-recommends-agency-review-how-it-manages-human-spaceflight-programs/Boeing Starliner test flight next on ULA’s launch scheduleMarch 11, 2022 Stephen Clark [SFN]
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft inside the Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Credit: BoeingThe U.S. Space Force has postponed a multi-spacecraft mission that was booked to fly on a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket in April, moving a redo of a test flight for Boeing’s Starliner crew capsule to the front of the line on ULA’s launch schedule.
ULA announced the delay in the Space Force’s USSF 12 mission in a brief statement shared on social media. The launch company, a 50-50 joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, said the delay was ordered at the request of the Space Force’s Space Systems Command.
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https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/03/11/boeing-starliner-test-flight-next-on-ulas-launch-schedule/ULA begins stacking Atlas 5 rocket for Boeing’s Starliner test flightApril 21, 2022 Stephen Clark [SFN]
An Atlas 5 first stage, with its Russian-made RD-180 engine, is prepared for stacking outside ULA’s Vertical Integration Facility on Wednesday morning. Credit: United Launch AllianceFinal assembly of a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket began Wednesday with the hoisting of a first stage booster onto a mobile launch platform at Cape Canaveral, kicking off a campaign to prepare for liftoff May 19 on a delayed unpiloted test flight of Boeing’s Starliner crew capsule.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/04/21/ula-begins-stacking-atlas-5-rocket-for-boeings-starliner-test-flight/Boeing’s Starliner crew capsule meets Atlas rocket for long-delayed test flightMay 4, 2022 Stephen Clark [SFN]
Ready for another try at launching on a test flight to the International Space Station, Boeing rolled a repaired Starliner crew capsule to United Launch Alliance’s seaside rocket hangar at Cape Canaveral Wednesday to prepare for a liftoff scheduled for May 19.
The test flight will not carry astronauts, but could set the stage for the first Starliner crew mission to the space station late this year or in early 2023, NASA and Boeing officials said in a press conference Tuesday.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/05/04/boeings-starliner-crew-capsule-meets-atlas-rocket-for-another-attempt-at-test-flight/NASA, Boeing ready for second Starliner test flightby Jeff Foust — May 5, 2022 [SN]
Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft rolls past the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center on its way to the launch pad to be installed on an Atlas 5 rocket ahead of its May 19 launch. Credit: NASA/Glenn BensonWASHINGTON — NASA and Boeing say they’re confident they have resolved a valve issue that delayed a test flight of the company’s CST-100 Starliner commercial crew vehicle last year and are ready to try again later this month.
https://spacenews.com/nasa-boeing-ready-for-second-starliner-test-flight/Boeing considering redesign of Starliner valvesby Jeff Foust — May 12, 2022 [SN]
Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft arrives at the launch pad for the OFT-2 mission. Boeing said at a May 11 briefing the company is considering a valve redesign as a long-term solution to a corrosion problem discovered last year. Credit: NASA/Ben SmegelskyWASHINGTON — Boeing says it is considering redesigning the propellant valves on future CST-100 Starliner commercial crew spacecraft as a long-term solution to the corrosion problem those valves suffered last year.
At a May 11 briefing about the upcoming Orbital Flight Test (OFT) 2 mission, Boeing’s manager for the program said that while a solution to prevent corrosion of the valves is working for the upcoming mission, a valve redesign is “definitely on the table” as a long-term fix, something the company had not previously acknowledged.
https://spacenews.com/boeing-considering-redesign-of-starliner-valves/NASA safety advisors voice concerns over Boeing’s Starliner, SpaceX’s StarshipMay 13, 2022 Stephen Clark [SFN]
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft descends under parachutes on Dec. 22, 2019, at the conclusion of the Orbital Flight Test-1 mission. Credit: NASA/Aubrey GemignaniMembers of NASA’s independent safety advisory panel on Thursday cautioned the space agency not to rush toward a crew test flight of Boeing’s troubled Starliner spacecraft, and voiced concerns about final certification of the capsule’s parachutes and Boeing staffing levels on the program.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/05/13/nasa-safety-advisors-voice-concerns-over-boeings-starliner-spacexs-starship/NASA, Boeing ready for long-delayed, high-stakes Starliner test flightMay 17, 2022 Stephen Clark [SFN]
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft was hoisted on top of ULA’s Atlas 5 rocket May 4 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Credit: United Launch AllianceRunning 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.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/05/17/nasa-boeing-ready-for-long-delayed-high-stakes-starliner-test-flight/Atlas 5 rocket and Starliner capsule return to Florida launch padMay 18, 2022 Stephen Clark [SFN]
ULA’s Atlas 5 rocket and Boeing’s Starliner crew capsule on their launch pad Wednesday at Cape Canaveral. Credit: Alex Polimeni / Spaceflight NowUnited Launch Alliance rolled an Atlas 5 rocket to its launch pad Wednesday at Cape Canaveral, moving into the starting position for a critical unpiloted demo flight of Boeing’s Starliner crew capsule. Unlike the first Starliner test flight, the spacecraft’s launch abort system will be armed during the climb to space Thursday.
Running years behind schedule, Boeing’s crew capsule is one of two spacecraft NASA selected in 2014 to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station. The other capsule was SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, which has now launched seven times with people on-board.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/05/18/atlas-5-rocket-and-starliner-capsule-return-to-florida-launch-pad/Starliner astronauts eager to see results from crew capsule test flightMay 18, 2022 Stephen Clark [SFN]
NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore speaks with reporters Wednesday at the Kennedy Space Center. Credit: NASA/Joel KowskyThe NASA astronauts training for the first crew missions on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft will be closely watching each step of the capsule’s unpiloted test flight to the International Space Station, set for blastoff Thursday from Cape Canaveral on an Atlas 5 rocket.
NASA has funneled more than $5 billion into Boeing’s Starliner crew capsule program since 2010, but the spacecraft is running years behind schedule. The mission set for launch Thursday, named Orbital Flight Test-2, is a precursor demonstration flight to prove out key Starliner systems before NASA commits to putting astronauts on the vehicle.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/05/18/starliner-astronauts-eager-to-see-results-of-crew-capsule-test-flight/NASA and Boeing set for second Starliner test flightby Jeff Foust — May 19, 2022 [SN]
Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, atop its Atlas 5 rocket, rolled out to the launch pad May 18. Credit: NASA/Joel KowskyKENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft is ready to attempt another uncrewed test flight to the International Space Station, with both the company and the agency expressing confidence in the spacecraft despite past problems.
The Starliner spacecraft, atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, rolled out to the pad at Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral, Florida, May 18. Launch of the spacecraft on the Orbital Flight Test (OFT) 2 mission remains scheduled for 6:54 p.m. Eastern May 19.
https://spacenews.com/nasa-and-boeing-set-for-second-starliner-test-flight/Atlas 5 launches Starliner on second uncrewed test flightby Jeff Foust — May 19, 2022 Updated 10 p.m. Eastern with comments from postlaunch briefing. [SN]
An Atlas 5 lifts off from Cape Canaveral carrying Boeing's CST-100 Starliner on a second uncrewed test flight. Credit: NASA/Joel KowskyKENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft is on its way to the International Space Station on a critical, long-delayed uncrewed test flight of the commercial crew vehicle.
An Atlas 5 N22 rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 6:54 p.m. Eastern May 19. The Starliner spacecraft, formally designated Spacecraft 2 by Boeing, separated from the dual-engine Centaur upper stage 15 minutes after liftoff, performing a 40-second orbital insertion burn 16 minutes later to place the spacecraft into a stable orbit.
https://spacenews.com/atlas-5-launches-starliner-on-second-uncrewed-test-flight/Boeing’s Starliner crew capsule takes off on long-awaited test flightMay 19, 2022 Stephen Clark [SN]
ULA’s Atlas 5 rocket climbs off pad 41 with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. Credit: Alex Polimeni / Spaceflight NowBoeing’s Starliner spacecraft thundered into orbit Thursday from Cape Canaveral aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, aiming to dock at the International Space Station on a years-late test flight to prove the capsule’s systems before flying astronauts.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/05/19/boeings-starliner-crew-capsule-takes-off-on-long-awaited-test-flight/OFT-2 Flies, Heads for Friday Space Station Dockingby Ben Evans May 20, 2022 [AS]
OFT-2 takes flight at 6:54 p.m. EDT Thursday. Photo Credit: NASAAfter more than two years of mixed fortunes, the second Orbital Flight Test (OFT-2) of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner—the second of two Commercial Crew vehicles, alongside the now-active SpaceX Crew Dragon—rose from historic Space Launch Complex (SLC)-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., during an “instantaneous” launch window at 6:54:47 p.m. EDT Thursday, 19 May.
https://www.americaspace.com/2022/05/20/oft-2-flies-heads-for-friday-space-station-docking/Starliner docks with ISS for the first timeby Jeff Foust — May 20, 2022 Updated 10:45 p.m. Eastern with post-launch briefing comments. [SN]
Boeing's CST-100 Starliner approaching the International Space Station shortly before its docking. Credit: NASA TVTITUSVILLE, Fla. — Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station May 20, a little more than 24 hours after its launch.
The spacecraft docked with the forward docking port on the Harmony module of the station at 8:28 p.m. Eastern. Controllers reported a hard docking securing the spacecraft to the station about 20 minutes later, although hatches separating the spacecraft from the station won’t open until around 11:45 a.m. Eastern May 21.
The central theme of the annual report of the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP), released Jan. 11, was a need to reexamine the roles and responsibilities of NASA as human spaceflight programs are increasingly managed by industry rather than NASA itself, as was the case for most of the agency’s history.
https://spacenews.com/starliner-docks-with-iss-for-the-first-time/Boeing’s Starliner capsule completes first “nail-biting” docking at space stationMay 21, 2022 Stephen Clark [SFN]
Russian cosmonaut Sergey Korsakov captured this view of the Starliner spacecraft approaching the International Space Station. Credit: Sergey Korsakov / RoscosmosBoeing’s Starliner crew capsule finally reached the International Space Station Friday night with a “nail-biting” rendezvous and docking, overcoming several technical glitches to accomplish a long-awaited objective for the spacecraft before NASA clears it to ferry astronauts to the research complex.
The crew capsule docked at the forward end of the station’s Harmony module at 8:28 p.m. EDT Friday (0028 GMT Saturday), using vision-based navigation to autonomously guide itself to the docking target.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/05/21/boeings-starliner-capsule-completes-first-nail-biting-docking-at-space-station/Starliner launches to remain on Atlas 5by Jeff Foust — May 22, 2022 [SN]
An Atlas 5 launches Boeing's CST-100 Starliner May 19. Seven future crewed launches will all be on Atlas 5, even if the vehicle is otherwise retired as ULA shifts to the Vulcan Centaur. Credit: NASA/Joel KowskyWASHINGTON — Boeing and United Launch Alliance say they remain committed to launching future CST-100 Starliner commercial crew missions on Atlas 5 rockets even after that vehicle is effectively retired for other missions.
As with the Orbital Flight Test (OFT) mission in late 2019, an Atlas 5 launched Starliner on the OFT-2 mission May 19. Boeing has a contract with ULA to launch both the Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission, the first Starliner mission to carry astronauts, and six operational or post-certification missions on Atlas 5 vehicles as well.
https://spacenews.com/starliner-launches-to-remain-on-atlas-5/Starliner spacecraft cleared for undocking and re-entryMay 24, 2022 Stephen Clark [SFN]
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft docked at the International Space Station. Credit: NASAAstronauts on the International Space Station closed the hatch to Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft Tuesday, and ground teams used the lab’s robotic arm to inspect the capsule’s heat shield to clear the test vehicle for undocking Wednesday and return to Earth for a late afternoon landing in New Mexico.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/05/24/starliner-spacecraft-cleared-for-undocking-and-re-entry/Starliner concludes OFT-2 test flight with landing in New Mexicoby Jeff Foust — May 25, 2022 Updated 10:30 p.m. Eastern with comments from postlanding briefing. [SN]
Boeing's CST-100 Starliner moments before landing at White Sands Space Harbor, New Mexico, to conclude the OFT-2 uncrewed test flight. Credit: NASA/Bill IngallsLONG BEACH, Calif. — Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner safely landed in New Mexico May 25, concluding a six-day uncrewed test flight to the International Space Station and setting the stage for the spacecraft’s first flight with people.
https://spacenews.com/starliner-concludes-oft-2-test-flight-with-landing-in-new-mexico/Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft lands in New Mexico after successful test flightMay 25, 2022 Stephen Clark [SFN]
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft descends toward landing at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico. Credit: NASA/Bill IngallsBoeing’s Starliner spacecraft parachuted to a “picture perfect” landing in southern New Mexico Wednesday, capping a six-day test flight to the International Space Station that NASA’s commercial crew program manager said paves the way for the next Starliner mission to carry astronauts.
The crew capsule touched down at White Sands Space Harbor, co-located with the U.S. Army’s White Sands Missile Range, at 6:49 p.m. EDT (4:49 p.m. MDT; 2249 GMT).
https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/05/25/boeings-starliner-spacecraft-lands-in-new-mexico-after-successful-test-flight/OFT-2 Returns Safely Home, Completing Successful ISS Missionby Ben Evans May 26, 2022 [AS]
The long-awaited OFT-2 mission comes to a successful conclusion at White Sands Space Harbor (WSSH), N.M., at 4:49 p.m. MDT (6:49 p.m. EDT) Wednesday. Photo Credit: NASAAfter a flight lasting a few minutes shy of six full days, more than four days of which were spent docked to the International Space Station (ISS), Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner safely returned to Earth late Wednesday, touching down at 4:49 p.m. MDT (6:49 p.m. EDT) with the assistance of its airbags and three perfect parachutes at mountain-ringed White Sands Space Harbor (WSSH), N.M. It marked the triumphant conclusion of the long-awaited second Orbital Flight Test (OFT-2) of the spacecraft, wrapping up a major test objective for NASA’s second Commercial Crew partner. Pending data review from OFT-2, the next step will be a Crew Flight Test (CFT) to the space station, later this year.
https://www.americaspace.com/2022/05/26/oft-2-returns-safely-home-completing-successful-iss-mission/