Author Topic: Boeing’s Starliner set for two pivotal test flights before the year’s end (Read 20989 times)

Chris Bergin · « **on:** 10/17/2019 07:18 pm »

By Michael Baylor
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/10/boeings-starliner-two-pivotal-flights-years-end/

Render by Mack Crawford for NSF/L2

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1184910677099634688

VDD1991 · « **Reply #1 on:** 12/20/2019 07:57 pm »

The Boeing Starliner just had its maiden orbital launch today. Next year, when the first crewed Starliner flight takes place, Atlas rockets will send astronauts to space for the first time since the 1960s.

VDD1991 · « **Reply #2 on:** 05/01/2020 11:23 pm »

Given that the maiden flight of the Dragon 2 is coming next month, much to the excitement of space exploration fans and veteran astronauts, even in the midst of COVID-19, is it possible that the first crewed flight of the Starliner could be pushed a few months ahead, maybe to September 2020?

Vettedrmr · « **Reply #3 on:** 05/01/2020 11:41 pm »

Boeing still has to fly OFT-2 (uncrewed), then close out the action items that NASA/Boeing/ASAP have written coming out of OFT-1 and subsequent reviews. I'm just hoping that OFT-2 flies this year, but I honestly think it's going to be close.

Have a good one,
Mike

gongora · « **Reply #4 on:** 05/02/2020 12:03 am »

Quote from: VDD1991 on 05/01/2020 11:23 pm

Given that the maiden flight of the Dragon 2 is coming next month, much to the excitement of space exploration fans and veteran astronauts, even in the midst of COVID-19, is it possible that the first crewed flight of the Starliner could be pushed a few months ahead, maybe to September 2020?

No

king1999 · « **Reply #5 on:** 05/03/2020 05:08 am »

Quote from: VDD1991 on 05/01/2020 11:23 pm

Given that the maiden flight of the Dragon 2 is coming next month, much to the excitement of space exploration fans and veteran astronauts, even in the midst of COVID-19, is it possible that the first crewed flight of the Starliner could be pushed a few months ahead, maybe to September 2020?

That would be real "Go Fever" with Covid.

docmordrid · « **Reply #6 on:** 05/19/2020 08:31 pm »

Is there a plan to build a 3rd orbital Starliner? Seems risky to have only 2.

OM72 · « **Reply #7 on:** 05/19/2020 08:39 pm »

Quote from: docmordrid on 05/19/2020 08:31 pm

Is there a plan to build a 3rd orbital Starliner? Seems risky to have only 2.

Technically, there are three vehicles already. CM1, while used in the PAT, could be further outfitted. But at this time for the current expected flight tempo, only two are planned. Additional CMs could be built if ever deemed necessary.

Vahe231991 · « **Reply #8 on:** 07/05/2022 12:19 am »

Quote from: OM72 on 05/19/2020 08:39 pm

Quote from: docmordrid on 05/19/2020 08:31 pm
Is there a plan to build a 3rd orbital Starliner? Seems risky to have only 2.

Technically, there are three vehicles already. CM1, while used in the PAT, could be further outfitted. But at this time for the current expected flight tempo, only two are planned. Additional CMs could be built if ever deemed necessary.

The first orbital Boeing CST-100 Starliner to be built (the one that carried out the OFT-2 flight) is to be used in the first operational manned Starliner mission, while the Starliner spacecraft named Calypso will be used in the CFT mission.