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Boeing’s Starliner crew capsule delayed to NET March 2024
Aug
Boeing expects the Starliner crew capsule to be prepared no sooner than March 2024.
Nevertheless, that would slip additional pending the outcomes of parachute exams, software program opinions, and Worldwide Area Station (ISS) scheduling.
After a disastrous first launch try in December 2019, through which after the Starliner capsule separated, a software program concern with the Mission Elapsed Time prompted the capsule to burn an excessive amount of propellant and enter the improper orbit and was unable to achieve the ISS, forcing a touchdown simply two days after launch.
OFT-1 liftoff from SLC-41 (Credit score Richard Angle)
After correcting this concern, Boeing launched the OFT-2 mission greater than two years later, in Could 2022, however not with out encountering much more issues. Through the first launch try in August 2021, valves situated on the propulsion module have been discovered to be caught after moisture managed to get into the system and trigger corrosion.
Throughout at present’s teleconference with Boeing and NASA officers, it was acknowledged that the one remaining points are parachute testing, software program opinions, and ending the elimination of flammable tape that had been put in on the spacecraft.
Boeing will conduct a drop take a look at in November this yr when the change to the parachute system is predicted to be accomplished, specifically the delicate hyperlink that connects the principle line from the capsule to the risers as much as the cover.
The corporate has additionally eliminated a “substantial variety of kilos” of a tape used to cowl wire harnesses that have been discovered to be flammable in sure excessive oxygen environments and continues to work on that concern.
Boeing expects Starliner to be prepared by March 2024. Nevertheless, that doesn’t imply it’ll launch then, as they want to verify United Launch Alliance has launch pad availability and the ISS schedule is open. That might push the launch to Mid-2024.
Starliner OFT-2 launch (Credit score Richard Angle)
If the Crew Flight Check does happen in Spring/early Summer time 2024, that will probably be almost 4 years since SpaceX performed their Demo 2 launch to the ISS.
The primary operational crewed flight could not come till 2025. Boeing is contracted for six crewed missions to the Worldwide Area Station.
In the meantime, SpaceX and NASA simply named the Crew 8 members and are scheduled to launch in early 2024.
Questions or feedback? Shoot me an electronic mail at rangle@teslarati.com, or Tweet me @RDAnglePhoto.
