Pictures from ULA’s flickr account. Based on ULA’s update it would seem that LV availability is not currently driving launch dates.
Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 04/18/2019 12:53 pmPictures from ULA’s flickr account. Based on ULA’s update it would seem that LV availability is not currently driving launch dates.LV availability was never in doubt. The issue Boeing cited for OFT was pad availability.
Quote from: envy887 on 04/18/2019 01:22 pmQuote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 04/18/2019 12:53 pmPictures from ULA’s flickr account. Based on ULA’s update it would seem that LV availability is not currently driving launch dates.LV availability was never in doubt. The issue Boeing cited for OFT was pad availability.This. LV availability was a misinterpretation of the statement by a small handful of people that somehow got morphed into a gospel-esque "truth". Saying pad availability affects the launch date isn't casting aspersions on ULA, it's acknowledging that ULA has other customers with their own schedule needs, which might just override NASA's (hard as that may be for some people to believe).
Quote from: SWGlassPit on 04/18/2019 02:36 pmQuote from: envy887 on 04/18/2019 01:22 pmQuote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 04/18/2019 12:53 pmPictures from ULA’s flickr account. Based on ULA’s update it would seem that LV availability is not currently driving launch dates.LV availability was never in doubt. The issue Boeing cited for OFT was pad availability.This. LV availability was a misinterpretation of the statement by a small handful of people that somehow got morphed into a gospel-esque "truth". Saying pad availability affects the launch date isn't casting aspersions on ULA, it's acknowledging that ULA has other customers with their own schedule needs, which might just override NASA's (hard as that may be for some people to believe).Which leaves me wondering what happens when a NSS launch slides (through payload or LV delays) into the window ULA needs to stack and launch a planetary mission...? Is NASA able to pull rank if they can't get another window for years?
Quote from: envy887 on 04/18/2019 03:23 pmQuote from: SWGlassPit on 04/18/2019 02:36 pmQuote from: envy887 on 04/18/2019 01:22 pmQuote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 04/18/2019 12:53 pmPictures from ULA’s flickr account. Based on ULA’s update it would seem that LV availability is not currently driving launch dates.LV availability was never in doubt. The issue Boeing cited for OFT was pad availability.This. LV availability was a misinterpretation of the statement by a small handful of people that somehow got morphed into a gospel-esque "truth". Saying pad availability affects the launch date isn't casting aspersions on ULA, it's acknowledging that ULA has other customers with their own schedule needs, which might just override NASA's (hard as that may be for some people to believe).Which leaves me wondering what happens when a NSS launch slides (through payload or LV delays) into the window ULA needs to stack and launch a planetary mission...? Is NASA able to pull rank if they can't get another window for years?Interplanetary gets priority over all else. Plus, they usually know 3+ years out when than slot is required. The rest are all worked out among OSL, LE, and NASA. Even commercial missions, once they're on contract and have a slot, they can't be bumped. If you can't meet your initial ILC, then yes, stuff can be worked out/negotiated, etc. But if you (let's say OFT for example) keep slipping, you might just be out of luck if you then all of sudden want a specific launch period. Contrary to popular (internet) belief, L-37 did not bump another launch provider out of their spot. Same with L-71 and the range recently. They had to find available range dates based on a SpaceX launch already scheduled.
The #AtlasV @Commercial_Crew first stage booster for the #Starliner is loading into the Mariner for the journey to Cape Canaveral, Florida. @BoeingSpace
The #AtlasV Dual Engine Centaur is beginning the load in process into the Mariner, a 312-foot long ship that will navigate waters heading to Cape Canaveral en route for the @BoeingSpace #Starliner Crew Flight Test. @Astro_Ferg @AstroDuke @AstroIronMike
After leaving Decatur AL on May 23 the @ulalaunch #DeltaMariner arrived in Port this morning just before 7am. It is carrying the Atlas V rocket that will help put a man back in space. @torybruno @ULANavy #nasa #space @nextspaceflight @SpaceXUpdates
The crewed @ulalaunch Atlas booster is about to be rolled off the Delta Mariner and head onto the Cape! @NASASpaceflight #ULA
Its an Atlas!
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! @BoeingSpace @Commercial_Crew
Published on 13 Jun 2019Go Atlas! Go Starliner! Watch the latest episode when we learn about the Emergency Detection System - unique technology developed for the Atlas V Starliner designed to protect the crew and monitor the health of the rocket.
https://twitter.com/ChrisG_NSF/status/1141738478390194177
Planning launch for 30 November; Dock 1 Dec.; Return to Earth May 2020.
Peter McGrath of Boeing w/ an updated Starliner schedule:<snip>[C]rew flight test “when NASA’s ready.” “We can say we’re ready but until NASA’s ready to fly we can’t.”
https://twitter.com/CatHofacker/status/1163469452446490624
First look at the Starliner Orbital Flight Test, Pad Abort Test and Crew Flight Test insignia:Boeing astronaut reveals mission patches for Starliner flight testshttp://www.collectspace.com/news/news-081919a-boeing-starliner-crew-mission-patch.html
Good mornin’ from LC-41. Bit windy out here.
Welcome to @ulalaunch’s “white room” atop the crew tower at LC-41. Boeing’s Starliner will fit right behind Dane Drefke.
Yowza. Beautiful view of @ulalaunch’s emergency egress system and overall infrastructure of LC-41’s crew tower. Next up: “white room” for astronauts.