Boeing and NASA have announced that the second test flight of the CST-100 “Starliner”, a manned spacecraft for the Boeing International Space Station, will take place after April 2, 2021. Last time, I couldn’t go to the International Space Station due to a problem with the flight program of the spacecraft, but I will aim for the International Space Station again unmanned.
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Boeing’s manned spacecraft CST-100 “Starliner” is a spacecraft used in the NASA “Commercial Crew” project, which carries personnel to the International Space Station, similar to SpaceX’s “Crew Dragon.” It will be launched by ULA’s Atlas V rocket.
Manned spacecraft are first subjected to unmanned flight tests to check the function of the spacecraft in outer space and docking with the International Space Station. Starliner’s first unmanned flight test (OFT-1) was conducted in December 2019 and was launched by an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, which is adjacent to the Kennedy Space Center.
The rocket flight proceeded smoothly, the spacecraft was successfully separated, and the launch was successful. However, the spacecraft’s flight program failed and it was not possible to accelerate to the International Space Station.
Therefore, the schedule was changed and docking to the International Space Station was canceled. Although we could not test docking and detachment, we confirmed the functions of other spacecraft and returned safely to the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
Boeing and NASA jointly conducted a survey of the spacecraft itself and analyzed flight data. We identified the cause of the problem and took necessary measures.
The second unmanned flight test (OFT-2) to the International Space Station was aimed at launch at the end of March 2021 as of December 2020. However, as a result of considering the preparation situation before the launch, it was announced on February 17 (local time) that it was decided to launch after April 2.
“NASA is working with Boeing on its first mission in 2021. Unmanned flight testing to the International Space Station will be manned after this,” said Citib Stitch, program manager for NASA’s commercial crew program. It’s an important milestone for the mission. When we’re ready, we’ll move on to launch. “
In response to this decision, Vice President John Volmer, who oversees Boeing’s Starliner program, said, “I am grateful for the important work NASA is doing before the launch. Boeing is NASA to ensure the reliability of the spacecraft. We will fully cooperate with the verification process that is being undertaken by NASA. “
At the moment, the verification of the spacecraft control software has been completed, but the hardware verification of the spacecraft and ground support equipment remains, and it is said that the overall stage is 95%.
In parallel with this unmanned flight test, preparations are underway for the first manned flight test (Crewed Flight Test = CFT). If the unmanned flight test is successful, three people, Astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore, Astronaut Mike Finke, and Astronaut Nicole Aunapu, will be on board to the International Space Station in late 2021.
NASA news release
Boeing news release
Image：Boeing／NASA
(Sakimura Pearl Tree)
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