Total Members Voted: 481
Voting closed: 02/21/2020 10:34 pm
In the water.https://twitter.com/ChrisG_NSF/status/1120699843444465664Somewhat amusing that Boeing has told the assembled media if this test doesn't go to plan, they aren't allowed to publish anything! They really can't get their media message right at all.
WASHINGTON — Boeing has completed ground testing of the thrusters for its CST-100 Starliner commercial crew vehicle, nearly a year after a setback in earlier testing of those thrusters.In a statement, Boeing said it completed hot-fire testing May 23 of the spacecraft’s entire propulsion system, including various thrusters, fuel tanks and related systems within a “flight-like” service module of the spacecraft. Those tests took place at NASA’s White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico.A series of tests demonstrated thruster firings for in-space maneuvers, high-altitude aborts and low-altitude aborts. The company said the tests were all successful.
Can someone clarify what "flight-like" means?
Does anyone know the breakdown in mass between the Starliner capsule and its service module?
Quote from: whitelancer64 on 05/16/2019 03:09 pmDoes anyone know the breakdown in mass between the Starliner capsule and its service module?SM dry mass = 10000 lbs.SM wet mass = 15000 lbsCM dry mass = 14000 lbsCM wet mass = 18000 lbs
Quote from: otlski on 05/25/2019 11:18 pmQuote from: whitelancer64 on 05/16/2019 03:09 pmDoes anyone know the breakdown in mass between the Starliner capsule and its service module?SM dry mass = 10000 lbs.SM wet mass = 15000 lbsCM dry mass = 14000 lbsCM wet mass = 18000 lbs Wow. That's a lot. The N22 can get that to orbit?LSP says that is 541 territory.
You might be wondering how they are going to achieve such an ambitious time goal when it seemed to take a while to get things together for the first one?Well, at the AEHF-5 Social we got a peek inside the Atlas Spaceflight Operations Center (ASOC) where they keep the boosters before sending them out to the Vertical Integration Facility (VIF). It turns out ULA already has the fully assembled Atlas V core and Dual Centaur upper stage for the Crewed Flight Test. They are currently sitting inside the ASOC awaiting a hopeful launch before the end of 2019.
Think its worth repeating all these program risks from the GAO report."• Parachute System Certification. Boeing is conducting five parachute system qualification tests to demonstrate that its system meets the Commercial Crew Program’s requirements, which will be validated on two spacecraft flight tests. However, in August 2018, Boeing identified a faulty release mechanism for its drogue parachute—which initially slows down the capsule—during its third parachute qualification test that successfully deployed all parachutes. Identifying and fixing the faulty mechanism delayed its fourth parachute qualification test. According to a NASA official, Boeing is conducting testing to qualify an alternative design, and Boeing must qualify this alternative design before the crewed test flight.• Launch Vehicle Engine Anomaly. Boeing is addressing a safety risk related to a launch vehicle component. Specifically, during a 2018 launch, the launch vehicle engine position during ascent deviated from commands but the launch vehicle provider stated that it achieved all mission objectives. Program officials told us that they have insight into the launch vehicle manufacturer’s ongoing investigation and have participated in a separate independent review team. Boeing will implement a set of corrective actions for the uncrewed test flight, and will continue testing the engines for the crewed test flight.• Spacecraft-Generated Debris. Boeing is addressing a risk that under normal operating procedures the initiators that trigger separation events, such as the separation of the crew and service module prior to re-entry, may generate debris and damage the spacecraft. These components function as expected, but Boeing plans to install hardware to contain debris generated when the initiators fire. Program officials told us that they believe Boeing has identified a solution that will be sufficient for the uncrewed and crewed test flights, but the program is continuing to explore a possible redesign for future operational missions.• Spacecraft Forward Heat Shield. We had previously found that Boeing was addressing a risk that during descent a portion of the spacecraft’s forward heat shield may re-contact the spacecraft after it is jettisoned and damage the parachute system. Since our last report, Boeing tested the performance of the forward heat shield in worst-case scenarios and found there was no damage to the parachute system or the spacecraft. After reviewing test data, the program determined that Boeing had completed the mitigation activities and, as of February 2019, no additional steps were needed."
From the update thread:Quote from: ChefwithaCamera on 08/08/2019 09:19 pmYou might be wondering how they are going to achieve such an ambitious time goal when it seemed to take a while to get things together for the first one?Well, at the AEHF-5 Social we got a peek inside the Atlas Spaceflight Operations Center (ASOC) where they keep the boosters before sending them out to the Vertical Integration Facility (VIF). It turns out ULA already has the fully assembled Atlas V core and Dual Centaur upper stage for the Crewed Flight Test. They are currently sitting inside the ASOC awaiting a hopeful launch before the end of 2019. Well nobody expected ULA to be the long pole for this anyway, so it doesn't mean much. What people are wondering is will the spacecraft itself meet the schedule?
Quote from: Lars-J on 08/22/2019 02:28 amWell nobody expected ULA to be the long pole for this anyway, so it doesn't mean much. What people are wondering is will the spacecraft itself meet the schedule?You did ask a question...so I answerwhen Boeing Test Aviators Experimental, not computer geeks on a keyboard who have no experience in the air or much past the keyboard and in the flight sit safely on the ground say it is ready ...safe flights
Well nobody expected ULA to be the long pole for this anyway, so it doesn't mean much. What people are wondering is will the spacecraft itself meet the schedule?