Author Topic: Atlas V N22 : Starliner OFT-2 : Canaveral SLC-41 : 19 May 2022 (22:54 UTC)  (Read 315186 times)

Online FutureSpaceTourist

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 55173
  • UK
    • Plan 28
  • Liked: 91685
  • Likes Given: 42462
Cross-post, created new launch thread now date is firming up:

Quote
Aug. 28, 2020

Boeing’s Starliner Makes Progress Ahead of Flight Test with Astronauts

NASA and Boeing continue to make progress toward the company’s second uncrewed flight test of the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft prior to flying astronauts to the International Space Station as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

The Commercial Crew Program currently is targeting no earlier than December 2020 for launch of the uncrewed Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) pending hardware readiness, flight software qualification, and launch vehicle and space station manifest priorities.

Over the summer, Boeing’s Starliner team focused on readying the next spacecraft for its upcoming flight tests as well as making improvements identified during various review processes throughout the beginning of the year. NASA also announced an additional crew assignment for its first operational mission, NASA’s Boeing Starliner-1, with astronauts to the space station. Here’s more on the recent progress:

Starliner Progress

Teams from Boeing are well into final assembly of the crew and service modules that will fly OFT-2 to the space station inside of the company’s Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility (C3PF) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. OFT-2 will fly a new, reusable Starliner crew module providing additional on-orbit experience for the operational teams prior to flying missions with astronauts. For Boeing’s Commercial Crew missions, the Starliner spacecraft will launch atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.

With the majority of assembly complete, recent progress is focused on the NASA docking system re-entry cover, which was added to the design for additional protection of the system. The team also has completed the installation of the Starliner propellant heater, thermal protection system tiles and the air bags that will be used when the spacecraft touches down for landing. As final production activities continue to progress, the crew module recently entered acceptance testing, which will prove out the systems on the spacecraft before it’s mated with its service module.

In Houston, the software team is nearing the final stages of modifying and re-verifying the flight code after the first uncrewed flight test. As part of that effort, the team recently began a major milestone called Formal Qualification Testing, which is a comprehensive test of flight software and an important step in preparing for an end-to-end mission rehearsal test.

Boeing also remains focused on incorporating the recommendations from the joint NASA-Boeing Independent Review Team with almost 75% of the 80 proposed actions implemented. The independent team was formed to review anomalies experienced during OFT, which led to Starliner not reaching its planned orbit or docking to station as planned, and to provide recommendations to ensure a robust design for future missions. In addition to opting to re-fly its uncrewed flight test, Boeing elected to comprehensively implement all of the recommendations provided by the review team.

Following a successful OFT-2, Boeing will focus full attention on preparations for its final flight test with astronauts and is already completing work on the Crew Flight Test spacecraft in parallel. Teams continue refurbishing the crew module flown on Starliner’s first uncrewed flight test for reuse with astronauts. After removing and conducting checkouts on various systems and flight hardware, Boeing is preparing to reassemble the vehicle for flight. Soon, outfitting of the crew module’s interior will begin along with packing parachutes and airbags ahead of installation. The vehicle’s NASA Docking System has been modified to accommodate the new cover, and outfitting of subsystem components continues on the spacecraft’s brand new service module.

Crew Updates and Target Flight Schedules

In advance of the OFT-2 mission, flight control teams from NASA and Boeing completed an integrated launch-to-docking simulation in August with additional mission simulations on the horizon as the teams fine-tune flight rules and procedures.

After a successful OFT-2, Boeing and NASA will fly Starliner’s first crewed mission, the Crew Flight Test, currently targeted for no earlier than June 2021, with the first post-certification mission, called Starliner-1, tentatively scheduled for no earlier than late December 2021.

The CFT crew members are Boeing astronaut Chris Ferguson and NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Nicole Mann.

In addition to training for living and working on station, astronauts continue to work closely with Starliner test teams. Several crew members plan to participate in ongoing acceptance testing of the OFT-2 crew module inside the C3PF.

Recently, the CFT crew helped test software updates with real flight hardware in Boeing’s Avionics and Software Integration Lab in Houston. They practiced performing manual separation events for several low likelihood contingencies, demonstrating the software improvements had no adverse effect on controls needed to stay safe in any situation. The crew also participated in procedural dry runs for future life support tests with the Starliner spacecraft in Florida. Later this year, the CFT crew will be suited inside the spacecraft with the vehicle providing all of their life support.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams, Josh Cassada and Jeanette Epps are crew members of the Starliner-1 mission. Cassada and Williams were both selected for the mission in August 2018, and NASA announced Epps’ assignment Aug. 25.

Astronauts for both CFT and Starliner-1 missions regularly participate in rehearsals of launch and mission operations in both normal and emergency scenarios. They also are continuing with on-going mission-specific training for life in orbit including the work they’ll perform after joining their respective Expedition crews awaiting them on station.

The goal of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program is safe, reliable and cost-effective transportation to and from the International Space Station. This could allow for additional research time and increase the opportunity for discovery aboard humanity’s testbed for exploration, including helping us prepare for human exploration of the Moon and Mars.

More details about the mission and NASA’s Commercial Crew Program can be found in the press kit online and by following the commercial crew blog, @commercial_crew and commercial crew on Facebook.

Last Updated: Aug. 28, 2020
Editor: James Cawley

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/boeing-s-starliner-makes-progress-ahead-of-flight-test-with-astronauts/

Image 1 caption:

Quote
The CST-100 Starliner spacecraft to be flown on Boeing’s Orbital Flight Test (OFT) is viewed Nov. 2, 2019, while undergoing launch preparations inside the Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Credits: Boeing

Image 2 caption:

Quote
NASA astronauts Nicole Mann, left, Mike Fincke, and Boeing astronaut Chris Ferguson, right, pose for a photograph on Sept. 11, 2019, as they, along with teams from NASA, Boeing and the White Sands Missile Range, rehearse landing and crew extraction from Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner.
Credits: Boeing
« Last Edit: 04/14/2022 09:08 pm by zubenelgenubi »

Offline zubenelgenubi

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 12945
  • Arc to Arcturus, then Spike to Spica
  • Sometimes it feels like Trantor in the time of Hari Seldon
  • Liked: 8705
  • Likes Given: 85511
Cross-post:
From the SMSR schedule,  OFT-1 now January 4th, 2021

https://sma.nasa.gov/docs/default-source/sma-disciplines-and-programs/smsr/smsr-intergrated-master-schedule_24feb2020.pdf?sfvrsn=8290faf8_4
"1/4/2021 NET"

Summary of all "crew" vehicle entries from that document:
(Obviously there will be changes in order and dates before most of these launch)

MISSION TASK NAME              LAUNCH             VEHICLE       SITE
SpaceX Crew 1                      10/23/2020 NET  Falcon 9        KSC
SpaceX-21                            11/15/2020         Falcon 9        KSC
Boeing-OFT2 (Uncrewed)       1/4/2021 NET      Atlas V N22   CCAFS

EDIT: 4000th post!
« Last Edit: 09/15/2020 02:59 pm by zubenelgenubi »
Support your local planetarium! (COVID-panic and forward: Now more than ever.) My current avatar is saying "i wants to go uppies!" Yes, there are God-given rights. Do you wish to gainsay the Declaration of Independence?

Offline SMS

  • Regular
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3258
    • Astronauts & their spaceflights
  • Liked: 2222
  • Likes Given: 250
---
SMS ;-). "Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas." - A. Einstein

Offline woods170

  • IRAS fan
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 12339
  • IRAS fan
  • The Netherlands
  • Liked: 19133
  • Likes Given: 13355
https://twitter.com/RussianSpaceWeb/status/1313591197336776704

The information maybe recent to Anatoly but it is in fact already out of date. More recent info can be found in L2.

Online FutureSpaceTourist

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 55173
  • UK
    • Plan 28
  • Liked: 91685
  • Likes Given: 42462
twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1326266914465837061

Quote
NASA Commercial Crew program manager Steve Stich says the Boeing Starliner OFT-2 launch will not happen until the first quarter of 2021 at the earliest, with the "pacing item" being "getting the software ready to go." $BA

https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1326267195987533825

Quote
NASA and Boeing most recently said Starliner OFT-2 was targeting no earlier than December for launch.

Offline Mammutti

  • Full Member
  • **
  • Posts: 297
  • Liked: 694
  • Likes Given: 2033
https://twitter.com/BoeingSpace/status/1336814329275035648

Quote from: Boeing Space
Launch Update: We are targeting March 29, 2021 for our next #Starliner flight, Orbital Flight Test-2.

Our teams at @NASAKennedy and @NASA_Johnson are making progress every day.

Learn more here: https://starlinerupdates.com/nasa-and-boeing-target-new-launch-date-for-next-starliner-flight-test/

Offline Mammutti

  • Full Member
  • **
  • Posts: 297
  • Liked: 694
  • Likes Given: 2033


Quote
Inside the #Starliner production factory at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Boeing is preparing the spacecraft's second reusable crew module for the Orbital Flight Test-2 mission. Go behind the scenes to learn more about the vehicle's build process and history.

Offline jacqmans

  • Moderator
  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 21934
  • Houten, The Netherlands
  • Liked: 8876
  • Likes Given: 325
Boeing technicians install back shells on the Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) Starliner crew module inside the company’s Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on December 2, 2020. During the OFT-2 mission, the uncrewed Starliner spacecraft will fly to the International Space Station for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
« Last Edit: 12/10/2020 03:13 pm by jacqmans »
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

  • Moderator
  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 21934
  • Houten, The Netherlands
  • Liked: 8876
  • Likes Given: 325
Boeing’s Starliner crew module, with back shells installed, is inside the company’s Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center on December 8, 2020, in preparation for the Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2). During the OFT-2 mission, the uncrewed Starliner spacecraft will fly to the International Space Station for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
Jacques :-)

Online FutureSpaceTourist

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 55173
  • UK
    • Plan 28
  • Liked: 91685
  • Likes Given: 42462
https://twitter.com/boeingspace/status/1339225159119597570

Quote
It takes a special person to dedicate their lives to human spaceflight. The official patch for #Starliner's Orbital Flight Test-2 mission is inspired by our team and depicts the @Commercial_Crew journey made possible by their hard work.

Full story: https://www.boeing.com/features/2020/12/a-significant-symbol-for-starliner.page
« Last Edit: 12/16/2020 02:45 pm by FutureSpaceTourist »

Offline zubenelgenubi

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 12945
  • Arc to Arcturus, then Spike to Spica
  • Sometimes it feels like Trantor in the time of Hari Seldon
  • Liked: 8705
  • Likes Given: 85511
Cross-post:
Quote
In a presentation to NASA Advisory Council’s Human Exploration and Operations Committee, NASA’s Phil McAlister suggests the launch of Boeing’s Starliner on Orbital Flight Test-2 might be pulled earlier a few days, perhaps to March 25.

https://twitter.com/StephenClark1/status/1349415301922906114
Support your local planetarium! (COVID-panic and forward: Now more than ever.) My current avatar is saying "i wants to go uppies!" Yes, there are God-given rights. Do you wish to gainsay the Declaration of Independence?

Online FutureSpaceTourist

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 55173
  • UK
    • Plan 28
  • Liked: 91685
  • Likes Given: 42462
https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1352293336732852227

Quote
Boeing $BA last Thursday "weighed in" the Starliner capsule for the second uncrewed flight test, measuring its weight and balance "to validate parameters required for launching on the Atlas V rocket, docking to the International Space Station and for navigation of the vehicle."

Online FutureSpaceTourist

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 55173
  • UK
    • Plan 28
  • Liked: 91685
  • Likes Given: 42462
https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1353724525775564800

Quote
ULA’s next launch is @BoeingSpace’s CST-100 #Starliner, Orbital Flight Test-2, aboard an #AtlasV rocket, planned for NET March 25, 2021, from SLC-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. bit.ly/av_oft-2

Offline jacqmans

  • Moderator
  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 21934
  • Houten, The Netherlands
  • Liked: 8876
  • Likes Given: 325
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

  • Moderator
  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 21934
  • Houten, The Netherlands
  • Liked: 8876
  • Likes Given: 325
The Atlas first stage for OFT-2 arrives at Cape Canaveral.

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance
Jacques :-)

Offline SMS

  • Regular
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3258
    • Astronauts & their spaceflights
  • Liked: 2222
  • Likes Given: 250
---
SMS ;-). "Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas." - A. Einstein

Offline Mammutti

  • Full Member
  • **
  • Posts: 297
  • Liked: 694
  • Likes Given: 2033
https://twitter.com/BoeingSpace/status/1356986033687117826

Quote from: Boeing Space
We recently mated the #Starliner OFT-2 crew and service modules inside our production factory at @NASAKennedy. Although Starliner gets a new service module for each flight, this reusable crew module is also slated to fly our first operational mission after the Crew Flight Test.

Offline zubenelgenubi

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 12945
  • Arc to Arcturus, then Spike to Spica
  • Sometimes it feels like Trantor in the time of Hari Seldon
  • Liked: 8705
  • Likes Given: 85511
The Atlas first stage for OFT-2 arrives at Cape Canaveral.
I thought OFT-2 was using the LV originally assigned to CFT? That Atlas was delivered to the Cape in 2019.

Cross-posts:
Quote
The first AtlasV Starliner booster that will fly a crew has emerged from the Mariner cargo ship at Cape Canaveral today to write a new chapter in human spaceflight history!

Confirmed at ASAP meeting that the launch vehicle originally intended for CFT will be used for OFT-2.
« Last Edit: 02/03/2021 05:46 pm by zubenelgenubi »
Support your local planetarium! (COVID-panic and forward: Now more than ever.) My current avatar is saying "i wants to go uppies!" Yes, there are God-given rights. Do you wish to gainsay the Declaration of Independence?

Offline SMS

  • Regular
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3258
    • Astronauts & their spaceflights
  • Liked: 2222
  • Likes Given: 250
https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2021/02/03/media-invited-to-cover-prelaunch-and-launch-activities-for-boeings-oft-2/

Quote
In addition to applying to cover launch, media may also separately apply for a photo opportunity of Starliner rolling out of Boeing’s Commercial Cargo and Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday, March 10, ahead of the OFT-2 mission.

---
SMS ;-). "Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas." - A. Einstein

Offline jacqmans

  • Moderator
  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 21934
  • Houten, The Netherlands
  • Liked: 8876
  • Likes Given: 325
February 03, 2021
MEDIA ADVISORY M21-014

NASA Invites Media to Prelaunch, Launch Activities for Boeing’s Orbital Flight Test-2

Media accreditation now is open for prelaunch and launch activities for NASA’s Boeing Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) mission to the International Space Station, the second uncrewed flight test of the company’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

The launch on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is targeted for no earlier than March 25 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

The uncrewed mission will test the end-to-end capabilities of Starliner and the Atlas V rocket from launch to docking to a return to Earth in the desert of the western United States. Following a successful completion of the OFT-2 mission, NASA and Boeing are targeting no earlier than September 2021 for NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test (CFT), Starliner’s first flight with astronauts aboard.

OFT-2 and CFT will provide valuable data toward NASA certifying Boeing’s crew transportation system for regular flights with astronauts to and from the space station.

Media also may apply separately for a photo opportunity during the rollout of the Starliner spacecraft from Boeing’s Commercial Cargo and Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The operational activity is targeted for approximately 4 a.m. EST on Wednesday, March 10.

Media accreditation deadlines for both OFT-2 launch and the photo opportunity are as follows:

U.S. media interested in being on-site for a photo opportunity of Starliner rollout must apply for credentials by 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17.
U.S. media interested in covering the OFT-2 launch must apply for credentials by 4 p.m. Monday, March 1.
U.S.-based International media without U.S. citizenship interested in covering the OFT-2 launch must apply by 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11.
All accreditation requests should be submitted online at:

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov

NASA continues to monitor developments related to the coronavirus pandemic, and Kennedy will grant access to only a limited number of media to protect the health and safety of media and employees.  Due to COVID-19 safety restrictions at Kennedy, international media coming from overseas will need to follow quarantine requirements.

The agency will follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the agency’s chief health and medical officer, and will immediately communicate any updates that may affect media access for this launch.

For questions about media accreditation, email [email protected]. For other questions, contact Kennedy’s newsroom at 321-867-2468.

Reporters with special logistics requests for Kennedy, such as space for satellite trucks, trailers, tents, electrical connections, or work spaces, must contact Kristi Irastorza at [email protected] by Friday, Feb. 25.

NASA’s Commercial Crew Program is working with the American aerospace industry through a public-private partnership to launch astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from American soil. The goal of the program is to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation to and from the space station, which will allow for additional research time and will increase the opportunity for discovery aboard humanity’s testbed for exploration. The space station remains the springboard to NASA's next great leap in space exploration, including future missions to the Moon and eventually to Mars.

For launch coverage and more information about the mission, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew
Jacques :-)

 

Advertisement NovaTech
Advertisement
Advertisement Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island
Advertisement Brady Kenniston
Advertisement NextSpaceflight
Advertisement Nathan Barker Photography
0