Boeing Starliner
Discussion
Eric Mc said:
Interesting video. I hadn't realised that the booster only placed the spaceship on a sub-orbital trajectory and that it would be the engines on the Starliner itself that would place the capsule into "proper" orbit. That's similar to the technique used by the Space Shuttle.
The Space Shuttles Solid Rocket Boosters and Main Engines placed the Orbiter in a sub-orbital trajectory and then the Orbiter used its Orbital Manoeuvering System engines to achieve a genuine orbit.
Quite common, to avoid having spent upper stages left in orbit. The Space Shuttles Solid Rocket Boosters and Main Engines placed the Orbiter in a sub-orbital trajectory and then the Orbiter used its Orbital Manoeuvering System engines to achieve a genuine orbit.
The Atlas V has been rolled out to the pad and the mission to ISS is still on for Friday at 6:36:43 am local (11:36:43 am UK time). It's an instantaneous launch. so no holds past that time.
The capsule has a test dummy onboard called Rosie the Rocketeer, complete with a spotted headscarf like the famous poster of Rosie the Riveter from WW2.
Also onboard will be Bill Boeing’s Air Travel card from 1933, which he used to get free flights on company planes.
The capsule has a test dummy onboard called Rosie the Rocketeer, complete with a spotted headscarf like the famous poster of Rosie the Riveter from WW2.
Also onboard will be Bill Boeing’s Air Travel card from 1933, which he used to get free flights on company planes.
Video link for those who might want to watch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K82CRHDT1wc
This is a very important moment in American manned spaceflight history. Hope all goes well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K82CRHDT1wc
This is a very important moment in American manned spaceflight history. Hope all goes well.
Reports of issues with the orbital insertion burn
"We do have an off-nominal orbit insertion," says Steve Siceloff, a Boeing spokesperson at mission control in Houston. "We have spacecraft control. Guidance and control teams are assessing their next maneuvers. Spacecraft batteries are good, and the spacecraft is in a stable orbit."
Apparently the burn was delayed as the spacecraft was in the wrong attitude for the burn
"We do have an off-nominal orbit insertion," says Steve Siceloff, a Boeing spokesperson at mission control in Houston. "We have spacecraft control. Guidance and control teams are assessing their next maneuvers. Spacecraft batteries are good, and the spacecraft is in a stable orbit."
Apparently the burn was delayed as the spacecraft was in the wrong attitude for the burn
Kelly Kaplan, a Boeing spokesperson, says the Starliner spacecraft "experienced an off-nominal insertion" following a successful launch on an Atlas 5 rocket.
"The spacecraft currently is in safe and stable configuration," she said. "Flight controllers have completed a successful initial burn and are assessing next steps. Boeing and NASA are working together to review options for the test and mission opportunities available while the Starliner remains in orbit."
That last bit doesn't look too hopeful for it reaching the ISS
"The spacecraft currently is in safe and stable configuration," she said. "Flight controllers have completed a successful initial burn and are assessing next steps. Boeing and NASA are working together to review options for the test and mission opportunities available while the Starliner remains in orbit."
That last bit doesn't look too hopeful for it reaching the ISS
Eric Mc said:
Scott Manley is saying that it used up too much of its rendezvous fuel just holding the correct attitude. There's a press conference coming up very shortly.
Looking back at the coverage from the control room at the graphics on the large screen, it does appear to show attitude thrusters firing constantly.eharding said:
Eric Mc said:
Scott Manley is saying that it used up too much of its rendezvous fuel just holding the correct attitude. There's a press conference coming up very shortly.
Looking back at the coverage from the control room at the graphics on the large screen, it does appear to show attitude thrusters firing constantly.Big question now is will Boeing demand more money from NASA to rerun the test ? I don't think SpaceX did when their Dragon2 blew up, but Boeing did recently get some extra money when they intimated they could walk away from the contract
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