Różne artykuły o CST-100 Starliner

[Orionid]

Starliner test flight faces months-long delay
by Jeff Foust — August 13, 2021 Updated 2:45 p.m. Eastern after media teleconference.


Technicians attempt to repair valves in the propulsion system on Boeing's CST-100 Starliner that have forced an extended delay in the launch of the spacecraft on an uncrewed test flight. Credit: Boeing

WASHINGTON — A test flight of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner commercial crew vehicle will be delayed for at least several months to fix a problem with valves on the spacecraft.

Source: https://spacenews.com/starliner-test-flight-faces-months-long-delay/

[Orionid]

Boeing opts to haul Starliner back to hangar, delays flight indefinitely
August 13, 2021 William Harwood [SFN] STORY WRITTEN FOR CBS NEWS & USED WITH PERMISSION


This infographic from Aerojet Rocketdyne, which supplies thrusters and valves for the Starliner spacecraft, shows the vehicle’s propulsion system. Credit: Aerojet Rocketdyne

Around-the-clock work to fix valve problems that derailed an Aug. 3 attempt to launch Boeing’s Starliner crew capsule on an unpiloted test flight was called off Friday, delaying another try until after NASA launches a higher-priority asteroid probe in mid-October.

Source: https://spaceflightnow.com/2021/08/13/boeing-opts-to-haul-starliner-back-to-hangar-delays-flight-indefinitely/

[Orionid]

Starliner test flight likely to slip to 2022
by Jeff Foust — September 22, 2021 [SN]


A second uncrewed test flight of Boeing's CST-100 Starliner, postponed in August because of valve problems, is unlikely to take place before 2022, a NASA official said Sept. 21. Credit: Boeing/John Grant

WASHINGTON — A test flight of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner commercial crew vehicle, delayed by a valve problem in August, is unlikely to take place before some time next year, NASA official said Sept. 21.

In a call with reporters about organizational changes at NASA, Kathy Lueders, associate administrator for the new Space Operations Mission Directorate, said engineers were still trying to determine why valves in the propulsion system of the Starliner spacecraft were stuck shut, postponing an uncrewed test flight that had been scheduled for early August.

Source: https://spacenews.com/starliner-test-flight-likely-to-slip-to-2022/

[Orionid]

NASA reshuffles commercial crew astronaut assignments because of Starliner delays
by Jeff Foust — October 7, 2021 [SN]


NASA reassigned two astronauts who were to fly on CST-100 Starliner commercial crew missions to a Crew Dragon mission called Crew-5 to give the rookie astronauts flight experience sooner rather than later. Credit: NASA

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — NASA has reassigned two astronauts from Boeing commercial crew missions to a SpaceX one as the agency addresses delays in the development of the CST-100 Starliner and works out a seat barter agreement with Russia.

Source: https://spacenews.com/nasa-reshuffles-commercial-crew-astronaut-assignments-because-of-starliner-delays/

[Orionid]

Boeing takes $185 million charge because of Starliner delays
by Jeff Foust — October 27, 2021 [SN]


Boeing took a $185 million charge to cover additional costs for the OFT-2 test flight after taking a $410 million charge in January 2020. Credit: NASA/Aubrey Gemignani

DUBAI, U.A.E. — Boeing announced Oct. 27 it is taking an additional $185 million charge against its earnings to cover the costs to get its CST-100 Starliner commercial crew vehicle flying again.

Source: https://spacenews.com/boeing-takes-185-million-charge-because-of-starliner-delays/

[Orionid]

Boeing reports $185 million charge to pay for Starliner delays
October 28, 2021 Stephen Clark [SFN]


Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft emerges from the Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing facility in July, during preparations before Boeing’s Orbital Flight Test-2 mission. Credit: Alex Polimeni / Spaceflight Now

Boeing said Wednesday it will take on a $185 million charge in its third quarter earnings to pay for the latest setback on the Starliner crew capsule, bringing the company’s out-of-pocket costs on the troubled program to $595 million since 2019.

Source: https://spaceflightnow.com/2021/10/28/boeing-reports-185-million-charge-to-pay-for-starliner-delays/

[Orionid]

NASA safety panel recommends agency review how it manages human spaceflight programs
by 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 Grant

WASHINGTON — 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 schedule
March 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: Boeing

The 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.

Source: 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 flight
April 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 Alliance

Final 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 flight
May 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 flight
by 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 Benson

WASHINGTON — 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 valves
by 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 Smegelsky

WASHINGTON — 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 Starship
May 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 Gemignani

Members 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 flight
May 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 Alliance

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.
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 pad
May 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 Now

United 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 flight
May 18, 2022 Stephen Clark [SFN]


NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore speaks with reporters Wednesday at the Kennedy Space Center. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky

The 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 flight
by 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 Kowsky

KENNEDY 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 flight
by 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 Kowsky

KENNEDY 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 flight
May 19, 2022 Stephen Clark [SN]


ULA’s Atlas 5 rocket climbs off pad 41 with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. Credit: Alex Polimeni / Spaceflight Now

Boeing’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 Docking
by Ben Evans May 20, 2022 [AS]


OFT-2 takes flight at 6:54 p.m. EDT Thursday. Photo Credit: NASA

After 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 time
by 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 TV

TITUSVILLE, 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 station
May 21, 2022 Stephen Clark [SFN]


Russian cosmonaut Sergey Korsakov captured this view of the Starliner spacecraft approaching the International Space Station. Credit: Sergey Korsakov / Roscosmos

Boeing’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 5
by 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 Kowsky

WASHINGTON — 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-entry
May 24, 2022 Stephen Clark [SFN]


Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft docked at the International Space Station. Credit: NASA

Astronauts 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 Mexico
by 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 Ingalls

LONG 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 flight
May 25, 2022 Stephen Clark [SFN]


Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft descends toward landing at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico. Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Boeing’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 Mission
by 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: NASA

After 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/

[Orionid]

NASA assigns two astronauts to Starliner test flight
by Jeff Foust — June 16, 2022 [SN]


NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore (left) and Suni Williams (right) will fly the first crewed Boeing CST-100 Starliner mission. Mike Fincke (center), previously assigned to the mission, will be a backup. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky

PASADENA, Calif. — NASA has assigned two veteran astronauts to the first crewed flight of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft in the latest reshuffling of personnel assigned to the long-delayed mission.

NASA announced June 16 that Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore will fly the Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission no earlier than late this year. The mission will travel to the International Space Station on a flight currently expected to last two weeks.
https://spacenews.com/nasa-assigns-two-astronauts-to-starliner-test-flight/



First crewed Starliner mission on track for April
Jeff Foust February 17, 2023


Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft was wheeled into a processing area at the Kennedy Space Center in early February in preparation for fueling ahead of its launch on a crewed test flight in mid to late April. Credit: NASA

WASHINGTON — Preparations for the first crewed flight of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner vehicle to the International Space Station remain on schedule for a launch in mid to late April, company and NASA officials said Feb. 17.

The Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission will send NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the station on an eight-day mission, launching from Cape Canaveral and landing at White Sands, New Mexico. The mission, following a successful uncrewed flight to the ISS last May, is intended to be the final major test of the vehicle before NASA certifies it for use on ISS crew rotation missions.
https://spacenews.com/first-crewed-starliner-mission-on-track-for-april/


STARLINER CREW FLIGHT TEST SLIPS AGAIN, NOW JULY AT THE EARLIEST
By Marcia Smith | Posted: March 29, 2023 9:55 pm ET | Last Updated: March 29, 2023 9:57 pm ET


Boeing Starliner OFT-2 landing at White Sands Space Harbor, NM, May 25, 2022. Photo credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

The Crew Flight Test of Boeing’s commercial crew spacecraft, CST-100 Starliner, has slipped again by several months. NASA and Boeing said today the test flight carrying two NASA astronauts will take place no earlier than July 21 and even that date is contingent on deconflicting with a U.S. Space Force launch about the same time.

Boeing and SpaceX won contracts from NASA in 2014 to develop crew transportation systems to ferry astronauts to and from the International Space Station through Public-Private Partnerships. NASA wanted two contractors to provide redundancy and competition.

SpaceX’s Crew Dragon was certified as meeting NASA’s requirements in 2020 and is now operational. Boeing suffered a series of setbacks starting in December 2019 when the first uncrewed Orbital Flight Test (OFT) experienced significant anomalies. The decision was made to redo the test. Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) ran into its own problems and did not successfully launch until May 2022. (...)

Steve Stich, the head of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, and Mark Nappi, Boeing Vice President and Program Manager for Starliner, attributed the delay to a combination of final preparations taking longer than expected and finding a time to fit it into the busy schedule on the ISS and at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS). (...)
https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/starliner-crew-flight-test-slips-again-now-july-at-the-earliest/

NASA, Boeing Target NET 21 July for Starliner Crew Flight Test (CFT) Launch
by Ben Evans March 30


Pilot Suni Williams (left) and Commander Barry “Butch” Wilmore participate in a crew validation test of their Boeing launch and entry suits in October 2022. Photo Credit: NASA

Teams from NASA, Boeing and United Launch Alliance (ULA) are tracking No Earlier Than (NET) 21 July for the launch of the long-awaited Crew Flight Test (CFT) of the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS). Originally targeting liftoff atop a mighty ULA Atlas V booster from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., in the second half of April, the mission—crewed by Commander Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Pilot Suni Williams—has slipped by almost 12 weeks to midsummer in response to issues pertaining to product certification, hardware/software testing and a busy ISS visiting vehicle manifest.
https://www.americaspace.com/2023/03/29/nasa-boeing-target-net-21-july-for-starliner-crew-flight-test-cft-launch/

[Orionid]

Boeing records more losses from Starliner delays
Jeff Foust July 26, 2023 [SN]


Issues with parachutes and tape for wiring harnesses will delay the first crewed flight of Boeing's CST-100 Starliner beyond July. Credit: Boeing/John Grant

WASHINGTON — Boeing took another loss on its CST-100 Starliner commercial crew program as the first crewed flight of that vehicle remains in limbo.

In its fiscal second quarter financial results released July 26, the company said it took a $257 million loss on the Starliner program, citing the delay in the vehicle’s first flight with astronauts on board that Boeing and NASA announced June 1. That loss was the biggest single factor in a $527 million loss the company reported for its Defense, Space and Security business unit in the quarter.
https://spacenews.com/boeing-records-more-losses-from-starliner-delays/



Starliner “on track” for April crewed test flight
Jeff Foust November 21, 2023 [SN]


The Boeing CST-100 Starliner crew capsule being prepared for the Crew Flight Test mission. Credit: Boeing/John Grant

WASHINGTON — NASA says the first crewed launch of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner vehicle remains on schedule for the middle of April as the company completes work to resolve the latest technical problems with the vehicle.

Speaking at a Nov. 20 meeting of the NASA Advisory Council’s human exploration and operations committee, Phil McAlister, director of the agency’s commercial space division, said preparations for the Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission were on schedule for a launch as soon as April 14.
https://spacenews.com/starliner-on-track-for-april-crewed-test-flight/

[Orionid]

Wilmore, Williams Arrive in Florida, Ahead of Historic Starliner Launch NET 6 May
by Ben Evans, April 25, 2024 [AS]


Crew Flight Test (CFT) Commander Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Pilot Suni Williams arrive at KSC’s Launch and Landing Facility (LLF) on Thursday afternoon. Photo Credit: NASA

Veteran NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Suni Williams arrived at the Launch and Landing Facility (LLF) at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) on Thursday afternoon as efforts enter high gear for the first launch of humans aboard Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft and the first crewed flight of an Atlas booster in over six decades. Wilmore and Williams, both retired Navy captains and each with two prior missions and almost 500 cumulative days in space, are targeting liftoff from storied Space Launch Complex (SLC)-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., no earlier than 10:34 p.m. EDT on 6 May for an approximately week-long visit to the International Space Station (ISS). (...)
https://www.americaspace.com/2024/04/25/wilmore-williams-arrive-in-florida-ahead-of-historic-starliner-launch-net-6-may/

Starliner crewed test flight passes key review
Jeff Foust April 25, 2024 [SN]


Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner commercial crew vehicle being installed on its Atlas 5 rocket for the Crew Flight Test mission scheduled to launch as soon as May 6. Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

WASHINGTON — The first crewed flight of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft is a step closer to launch after completing a major pre-launch review April 25.

NASA announced at an April 25 briefing that, at the completion of the two-day Flight Test Readiness Review, officials approved plans to proceed with the Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission, with a launch scheduled for 10:34 p.m. Eastern May 6 from Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex (SLC) 41. Backup launch opportunities are available May 7, 10 and 11. (...)
https://spacenews.com/starliner-crewed-test-flight-passes-key-review/

NASA astronauts arrive at Kennedy Space Center ahead of Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test
April 25, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith [SFN]


NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore (left) and Suni Williams (right) pose by their mission patch following their arrival at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in the run-up to the Starliner Crew Flight Test on May 6. Image: Adam Bernstein/Spaceflight Now
https://spaceflightnow.com/2024/04/25/nasa-astronauts-arrive-at-kennedy-space-center-ahead-of-boeing-starliner-crew-flight-test/
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/25/world/boeing-starliner-launch-spacex-delays-scn/index.html
https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/starliner-cft-cleared-for-may-6-launch/

Starliner: Boeing prepares to launch its first crewed spacecraft as it chases after SpaceX
Published: May 3, 2024 7.01 pm CEST Gareth Dorrian

Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner is scheduled to make its first flight into space with astronauts on May 6, 2024. This flight and a few others will take place take under contract with Nasa, as part of a programme to transport astronauts from Earth to the International Space Station (ISS) and back.

Following years of delays, a successful flight would provide the United States with a second operational spacecraft to carry astronauts to low-Earth orbit, after SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. (...)

Having two different spacecraft available provides a back-up option if something should go wrong with one of them. So it will secure access to space for astronauts from American soil. While Starliner will be flying to the ISS for now, it could eventually make trips to future commercial space stations, like that being built by Houston-based company Axiom Space.

Getting to space has never been easy, however. In the case of Starliner, that is something of an understatement. The project began back in 2010 as part of Nasa’s Commercial Crew Program (CCP) when Boeing, along with SpaceX, and Sierra Nevada, was selected to develop spacecraft that could provide access to low-Earth orbit and the ISS. (...)
https://theconversation.com/starliner-boeing-prepares-to-launch-its-first-crewed-spacecraft-as-it-chases-after-spacex-228950

Russia may skip first operational Starliner mission
Jeff Foust May 5, 2024 [SN]


Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner atop its Atlas 5 rocket at Space Launch Complex 41 ahead of the Crew Flight Test launch. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — Even a successful crewed test flight of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner vehicle could create a temporary hiccup in plans to exchange seats between commercial crew vehicles and Soyuz spacecraft going to the International Space Station. (...)

The fourth person to fly on that mission has not yet been assigned. “The final crew assignment for Starliner-1 will be announced following review and approval by the agency and its international partners,” NASA said in November when it announced the addition of Kutryk to the crew. (...)

At the May 3 briefing, though, NASA officials said it was unlikely that a Russian cosmonaut would be assigned to Starliner-1. “We expect, on the Roscosmos side, they’re more likely to want to see a long-duration flight also, so we think they’ll want to start to fly with us on Starliner-2,” said Dana Weigel, NASA ISS program manager. (...)
https://spacenews.com/russia-may-skip-first-operational-starliner-mission/

Boeing’s Starliner set to launch first crew flight
written by Sawyer Rosenstein May 6, 2024 [SFN]

After years of anticipation, Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner capsule is ready to fly its first crew into space on the 100th flight of an Atlas V launch vehicle. Capping off Starliner’s test campaign, the Crew Flight Test (CFT) will send Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams on a trajectory to rendezvous with the International Space Station (ISS) where they will remain for about a week. Launch was initially scheduled for May 6, but was scrubbed just under two hours before the flight due to an issue with an oxygen valve on Centaur. Liftoff is now unknown with a wide range of prospective dates for the next launch.
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024/05/starliner-cft-launch/

11:03 PM · May 6, 2024
A5/Starliner CFT: Good afternoon; we're monitoring the countdown to liftoff of a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket carrying Boeing's Starliner spacecraft with NASA astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and co-pilot Sunita Williams at the controls. Liftoff from pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is set for 10:34pm EDT (0234 UTC); weather is 95% go

A5/Starliner CFT: Working by remote control, ULA engineers began loading cryogenic liquid oxygen and hydrogen propellants into the Atlas 5/Centaur tanks at 4:41pm EDT (2041 UTC)

A5/Starliner CFT: Weather remains 95% 'go' for launch; Wilmore and Williams are in the process of donning their dark blue Boeing pressure suits in NASA crew quarters; the trip to the pad in Boeing's Airstream-built "Astrovan" is expected to begin around 7:15pm EDT (2315 UTC)

A5/Starliner CFT: Here's a look at Williams and Wilmore in the suit-up room at NASA crew quarters




A5/Starliner CFT: In a pre-flight tradition, Wilmore and Williams played a card game with dealer Joe Acaba, NASA's chief astronaut; Wilmore won, so the team is go for launch!



A5/Starliner CFT: Williams and Wilmore are heading to launch complex 41 to begin strapping in for launch; their Airstream van is equipped with a large-screen TV so Wilmore can watch favorite scenes from "Top Gun: Maverick" on the way to the pad (so he said last week!)




A5/Starliner CFT: The astronauts have reached launch pad 41; they took a few moments to take in the view of their rocket from ground level before taking an elevator up to Level 12 of the Crew Access Tower; boarding began after Wilmore, a Sunday school teacher in Houston, presumably led the closeout crew in a prayer




A5/Starliner CFT: Wilmore is now strapped into his seat aboard the Starliner; Williams, sitting to his right, is still being buckled up and secured by the Boeing closeout crew; she's carrying out a suit leak check; hatch closure is expected in about an hour


2:33 AM · May 7, 2024
A5/Starliner CFT: SCRUB!

5/Starliner CFT: Unexpected behavior of an oxygen relief valve in the Atlas 5's Centaur upper stage, described as a "chattering," has prompted a scrub of this evening's launch; it's not yet clear when another launch try will be attempted; we’ll pass along updates as soon as more information is available


A5/Starliner CFT: We're standing by for a 10:30 pm EDT (0230 UTC) news conference to learn more about what caused tonight's Atlas 5-Starliner launch scrub and what the forward plan might be

A5/Starliner CFT: United Launch Alliance CEO Tory Bruno says the trouble with the Centaur oxygen relief valve was first detected as a flutter, or audible "humming" as the valve repeatedly tried to seat itself

A5/Starliner CFT: The valve is qualified for 200,000 open-close cycles; the flight rule for the Starliner mission called for a scrub if there was a chance the valve could have been at or near the qualification limit before the countdown hit zero; engineers are working to figure out how many cycles were actually involved by analyzing accelerometer data from sensors on the Centaur's RL10A engines

A5/Starliner CFT: Bruno said if this had been a satellite launch, engineers would have carried out a realtime procedure to reseat the valve and the satellite would be in orbit; but the flight rule for a piloted launch forbids any alterations of the rocket in its "fueled state;" as a result, the launch was scrubbed

A5/Starliner CFT: If the valve does not have to be replaced, another launch attempt would be possible, in theory, Tuesday night; but that assumes engineers are confident the data supports flying the valve as is. If the valve has to be replaced, the rocked would have to be rolled back to its processing facility and launch likely would be delayed to Sunday at the earliest

A5/Starliner CFT: Bruno expects to know the results of the analysis tomorrow; we'll pass along the plan going forward as soon as they decide on a course of action

A5/Starliner CFT: United Launch Alliance said early Tuesday "the team needs additional time to complete a full assessment (of the valve issue), so we are targeting the next launch attempt no earlier than Friday, May 10." That assumes the valve does not need to be replaced, which we think is still TBD at this point
https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews

Starliner launch scrubbed by trouble with a valve in the Atlas 5’s Centaur upper stage
May 7, 2024 William Harwood


A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket was fueled for launch May 6, 2024 for the Starliner Crew Test Flight. Image: NASA TV.

An Atlas 5 rocket carrying astronauts for the first time was fueled for blastoff Monday night to boost Boeing’s long-delayed Starliner crew ferry ship into orbit for its first piloted test flight. But trouble with a valve in the rocket’s upper stage forced mission managers to order a scrub just two hours before takeoff.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2024/05/07/starliner-launch-scrubbed-by-trouble-with-a-valve-in-the-atlas-5s-centaur-upper-stage/
https://www.axios.com/2024/05/06/boeing-starliner-nasa-iss-test-flight