FLORIDA – Ahead of the th unmanned test launch International Space Station (ISS) The OFT-2 Starliner capsule is mounted on top of an Atlas V rocket. Spaceship Boeing Starliner will be launched using a rocket made by the United Launch Alliance from Cape Canaveral, Florida, United States (US).
Boeing Starliner launched its Orbital Flight Test 2 (OFT-2) mission to demonstrate the feasibility and capability of its spacecraft to fly astronauts to and from the space station. This mission is very important and for Boeing because it has conducted two previous test flights.
In December 2019, Boeing launched the first Starliner test flight, called OFT-1, but failed to reach the International Space Station due to a software issue. In July 2021, Boeing was ready to try again, but a valve on the spacecraft’s service module jammed and the launch was cancelled.
Read also; Boeing Starliner Prepares Second Unmanned Test Launch to ISS
If all preparations go well, Boeing’s OFT-2 Starliner spacecraft will take off Thursday, May 19, 2022 evening local time. The Starliner capsule is scheduled to arrive at the International Space Station on the evening of Friday 20 May 2022.
Astronauts on duty aboard the International Space Station then opened the hatch towards the Starliner capsule a day later, on Saturday May 21, 2022. The Starliner capsule, carrying a 226 kilogram cargo hold, was on the International Space Station for about five days.
At the end of the mission, the Starliner will return to Earth and is planned to land in the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico like its predecessor OFT-1. The Starliner uses parachutes, airbags and retrorockets to protect its landings on the ground.
Read also; Starliner Launch Trial to ISS, Carry 226 Kg Cargo Filled with Food
Officials in the U.S. Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron estimate a 70% chance the weather is good enough to be favorable for the launch of the Boeing Starliner on Thursday. The launch can be watched on the Space.com website, starting at 6pm EDT (2200 GMT).
(wib)
–
