Author Topic: Starliner OFT (Atlas V) - 20-22 Dec 2019 - LAUNCH and LANDING - UPDATES  (Read 146137 times)

Offline Chris Bergin

UPDATES ONLY thread for Atlas V/Starliner OFT.

OFT Discussion Thread:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43958.0

News Articles:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/?s=Starliner

L2 ULA:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=84.0

L2 Starliner:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=54.0

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ULA:
Everything is progressing toward the ULA Atlas V launch carrying the Orbital Flight Test, Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner capsule. The mission is set to lift off on Friday, Dec. 20, from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

Today’s forecast shows a 70 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. The twenty-minute launch window begins at 6:26 a.m. and the instantaneous launch is planned for 6:36 a.m. EST.

Launch Forecast Summary:

Overall probability of violating weather constraints: 30%
Primary concerns: Cumulus cloud rule, ground winds
Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 24-hour delay: 40%
Primary concern: Cumulus cloud rule, thick cloud layer rule
« Last Edit: 12/22/2019 01:05 am by Chris Bergin »
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Offline Rondaz

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Boeing and NASA Approach Milestone Orbital Flight Test

Linda Herridge Posted on December 16, 2019

When Boeing’s Orbital Flight Test (OFT) launches on Dec. 20, 2019, it will be a major step toward returning human spaceflight capability to the U.S.

The uncrewed mission for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program will rendezvous and dock Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft with the International Space Station and return to Earth on Dec. 28. Starliner will launch atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 (SLC-41) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

“This test flight will give us valuable data about Starliner’s performance in the actual environment through each phase of flight and demonstrate its capability to transport crew to the space station and bring them home safely,” said Trip Healey, NASA’s mission manager for OFT. “Being on the cusp of this huge moment in history is really exciting.”

Data from the mission will validate spacecraft system performance and will move Starliner farther down the path toward its first flight with astronauts aboard — Boeing’s Crew Flight Test (CFT).

NASA astronauts Michael Fincke and Nicole Mann and Boeing astronaut Chris Ferguson will be onboard Starliner for CFT. All three were on hand when the spacecraft for this flight test rolled out of Boeing’s Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Nov. 21, making the roughly six mile trek on a transport vehicle to SLC-41 to be mated atop the Atlas V rocket.

https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2019/12/16/boeing-and-nasa-approach-milestone-orbital-flight-test/

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1206747734440583173

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System Certification Review completed. #OFT

Offline Rondaz

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Televised Prelaunch Briefing Set for Boeing’s Orbital Flight Test

Linda Herridge Posted on December 17, 2019

NASA will hold a prelaunch briefing on Tuesday, Dec. 17, no earlier than 2 p.m. EST, following the completion of the Launch Readiness Review for Boeing’s uncrewed Orbital Flight Test for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Briefing participants are:

Kathy Lueders, manager, NASA Commercial Crew Program
Joel Montalbano, deputy manager, International Space Station Program
John Mulholland, vice president and program manager, Boeing Commercial Crew Program
John Elbon, chief operating officer, United Launch Alliance
Pat Forrester, astronaut office chief, Johnson Space Center
Will Ulrich, launch weather officer, 45th Weather Squadron
Watch the briefing live on NASA TV. More details about the mission and NASA’s Commercial Crew Program can be found in the online press kit and by following the @commercial_crew on Twitter and commercial crew on Facebook.

View all of the prelaunch briefings and events at https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-boeing-oft-briefings-events-and-broadcasts.

Meteorologists with the U.S. Air Force’s 45th Weather Squadron predict an 80 percent chance of favorable weather for launch on Friday morning, with the possibility of cumulus clouds posing the main concern.

https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2019/12/17/televised-prelaunch-briefing-set-for-boeings-orbital-flight-test/

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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https://twitter.com/45thspacewing/status/1206944703293403136

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After the successful launch of JCSAT, it's time to look ahead to CST-100 on Friday! Here is the L-3 launch day forecast.

Launch day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 20%
Primary concern(s): Cumulus Cloud Rule, User Ground Winds

Who's ready?!

📸: Boeing

Offline jacqmans

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

United Launch Alliance Set to Launch the Starliner Capsule on the Orbital Flight Test

Preparing to launch astronauts from U.S. soil

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., (Dec. 17, 2019) – A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket is in final preparations to launch Boeing’s Starliner capsule on the Orbital Flight Test to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch is planned for Dec. 20, at 6:36 a.m. from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

The Atlas V rocket will deliver Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft to a 98-nautical mile (nmi) sub-orbital trajectory. Following separation from the Atlas V, the Starliner engines will propel the spacecraft to its final orbit and on to the ISS.

Modified specifically for the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, the Atlas V Starliner configuration does not include a payload fairing. Instead, the Starliner’s own protective surfaces take the place of the fairing to protect the uncrewed spacecraft during ascent. This is the inaugural flight of this configuration. 

“We are bridging history as we prepare to launch astronauts again and the Orbital Flight Test is the first step in this process,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. “We are excited to fly this mission-unique Atlas V in support of Boeing’s Starliner and NASA’s Commercial Crew program.”

The Starliner is attached to the Atlas V using a launch vehicle adapter (LVA) which includes an aeroskirt to reduce aerodynamic loads on the vehicle. The Atlas V configuration for this mission is powered by dual Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10A-4-2 engines, each producing 22,600 lbs. of thrust. The Centaur also includes an Emergency Detection System (EDS) that monitors the health of the rocket throughout flight.

The Orbital Flight Test will be the 81st launch of the Atlas V and will mark ULA's 136th mission.

With more than a century of combined heritage, ULA is the world’s most experienced and reliable launch service provider. ULA has successfully delivered more than 130 satellites to orbit that provide Earth observation capabilities, enable global communications, unlock the mysteries of our solar system, and support life-saving technology.
Jacques :-)

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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https://twitter.com/commercial_crew/status/1207005926508634112

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We are “go” for launch following today’s Launch Readiness Review ahead of @BoeingSpace's Orbital Flight Test mission to the @Space_Station!

Launch is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 20 at 6:36 a.m ET from Space Launch Complex 41: go.nasa.gov/2PtpIxV

Offline ChrisGebhardt

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Pre-launch news conference coming up at 14:00 EST (19:00 UTC).  Michael will post updates here....

Offline jacqmans

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Jacques :-)

Offline Michael Baylor

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Lueders start off by stating that the OFT mission is a gift, allowing them to ensure that everything is ready for crewed spaceflight.

Offline jacqmans

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Jacques :-)

Offline Michael Baylor

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Mission objectives

Offline Michael Baylor

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No spacecraft issues being tracked ahead of launch on Friday.

Offline Michael Baylor

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Elbon: First flight of Atlas V in the N22 configuration (N = no fairing, 2 = two SRBs, 2 = dual-engine centaur). No significant issues being worked with the launch vehicle. Looking forward to Friday morning, and looking to hearing the words "Go Atlas, Go Centaur, Go Starliner."
« Last Edit: 12/17/2019 06:11 pm by Michael Baylor »

Offline Michael Baylor

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Forrester: We consider this a dress rehearsal for CFT. The OFT Starliner will fly again during PCM-1. Suni wants to make sure that the spacecraft comes back in good shape for that reason.  ;D

Offline jacqmans

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Offline Michael Baylor

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Increased winds in the next few days should subside closer to launch day. Overall, weather is looking good for a launch attempt on Friday (80% go). Isolated showers will be a small risk.

Offline jacqmans

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Offline Michael Baylor

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The launch time at 6:36 am local should create some nice imagery as the rocket heads into daylight.

Offline Michael Baylor

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Lueders: When people see the integrated product on the pad, all of that work becomes real. Our team sees this as a real step towards getting towards our crewed flights.

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