Boeing Starliner (CST-100) CFT mission discussion thread : June-September 2024

[DanClemmensen]

Is Starliners (and Dragons) forward hatch capable of being opened from the outside? I'm thinking of rescuing incapacitated astronauts who are alive but can't open the hatch themselves.

Yes, For spacecraft docked to ISS.
We know that the ISS crew opened the hatch during Starliner OFT-2. We also know that ISS crew routinely opens the hatch on Cargo Dragon.

If you are asking about opening the hatch in vacuum for an undocked spacecraft, I do not know. If the cabin is pressurized I suspect the answer is no. In this highly unlikely rescue situation, you have the choice of the forward hatch or the side hatch. I think the side hatch opens outward, and it is designed to be operated from the outside, but not in vacuum.

[clongton]

Is Starliners (and Dragons) forward hatch capable of being opened from the outside? I'm thinking of rescuing incapacitated astronauts who are alive but can't open the hatch themselves.

Yes, For spacecraft docked to ISS.
We know that the ISS crew opened the hatch during Starliner OFT-2. We also know that ISS crew routinely opens the hatch on Cargo Dragon.

If you are asking about opening the hatch in vacuum for an undocked spacecraft, I do not know. If the cabin is pressurized I suspect the answer is no. In this highly unlikely rescue situation, you have the choice of the forward hatch or the side hatch. I think the side hatch opens outward, and it is designed to be operated from the outside, but not in vacuum.

Actually I was thinking spacecraft to spacecraft, either docked or tethered. I know at this time the spacecraft can't dock to each other (which I think is a sh!t stupid mistake), but if a rescue is needed I was thinking a crewmember could do a tethered spacewalk to the other spacecraft, open the hatch and retrieve the crew,1 by 1.

[DanClemmensen]

Is Starliners (and Dragons) forward hatch capable of being opened from the outside? I'm thinking of rescuing incapacitated astronauts who are alive but can't open the hatch themselves.

Yes, For spacecraft docked to ISS.
We know that the ISS crew opened the hatch during Starliner OFT-2. We also know that ISS crew routinely opens the hatch on Cargo Dragon.

If you are asking about opening the hatch in vacuum for an undocked spacecraft, I do not know. If the cabin is pressurized I suspect the answer is no. In this highly unlikely rescue situation, you have the choice of the forward hatch or the side hatch. I think the side hatch opens outward, and it is designed to be operated from the outside, but not in vacuum.

Actually I was thinking spacecraft to spacecraft, either docked or tethered. I know at this time the spacecraft can't dock to each other (which I think is a sh!t stupid mistake), but if a rescue is needed I was thinking a crewmember could do a tethered spacewalk to the other spacecraft, open the hatch and retrieve the crew,1 by 1.

As you say, docking is not possible since neither Starliner nor Dragon implement passive IDSS. If you somehow magically implemented passive mode on either spacecraft and fixed some additional geometric problems, you still have a big problem.

If a derelict spacecraft is rotating on basically any axis at more than a very slow rate, then dockiing or tethering is difficult or impossible.

[BN]

Are there any plans for a ship retrieval drone or orbital tugship? We will also need small deployable remote-operated craft for heatshield inspections. Seems at least as important as these spacecraft being built to de-orbit debris.

We would have more rescue options with more diverse docking capabilities. Maybe even leave a couple MMUs on the ISS.

[woods170]

Are there any plans for a ship retrieval drone or orbital tugship? We will also need small deployable remote-operated craft for heatshield inspections. Seems at least as important as these spacecraft being built to de-orbit debris.

We would have more rescue options with more diverse docking capabilities. Maybe even leave a couple MMUs on the ISS.

Maybe you are unaware but the MMU (Manned Maneuvering Unit) was retired nearly four decades ago, in 1986. Both flight units have been on display in museums (NASM and SRC) for decades since.

[tea monster]

Speaking of things that have probably been in a museum for decades and we just didn't realise it: I wonder if it would be a good idea to ressurect those 'rescue balls' they developed for the shuttle program. Just in case there was a similar problem where, for whatever reason, a crewmember didn't have a spacesuit, or had to leave the station in an emergency with a suit that was incompatible with their escape craft.

[zubenelgenubi]

The story ends when we find out the truth, not when we have conflicting statements, pick a side and declare “end of story”.

There's no such thing as "the truth". There's only opinions and approximate truth(s).

you're experiencing cognitive dissonance.

Moderator:
That last comment could be perceived as unnecessary snark--just a heads-up.

Member:
The Vorlons have a saying.

Understanding is a three-edged sword: My side, your side, and the truth.

Moderator:
This splinter discussion is passing the bounds of on-topic discussion and into off-topic meta.  I think it's at an end, but as a moderator I wish to ensure this.

Until or unless some record or transcript of the alleged conversation surfaces (that could be months, years, decades, or never), we're in a version of the he said/she said zone.

Let's stop here.  Thank you.

[jstrotha0975]

Speaking of things that have probably been in a museum for decades and we just didn't realise it: I wonder if it would be a good idea to ressurect those 'rescue balls' they developed for the shuttle program. Just in case there was a similar problem where, for whatever reason, a crewmember didn't have a spacesuit, or had to leave the station in an emergency with a suit that was incompatible with their escape craft.

This makes sense so it will never happen.

[meekGee]

Speaking of things that have probably been in a museum for decades and we just didn't realise it: I wonder if it would be a good idea to ressurect those 'rescue balls' they developed for the shuttle program. Just in case there was a similar problem where, for whatever reason, a crewmember didn't have a spacesuit, or had to leave the station in an emergency with a suit that was incompatible with their escape craft.

This makes sense so it will never happen.

Space Balls.  It's right there, come on.

[Ike17055]

Moichendizing, moichendizing….