Boeing Starliner

[MartG]

I couldn't find an existing thread about this so thought I'd start one...

It looks like it could be quite a tight race between Starliner and Dragon to be the first to launch with a crew aboard. SpaceX seem to have been a lot more visible in testing various elements of their spacecraft to date, but perhaps Boeing can catch up

http://arstechnica.com/science/2016/06/ars-peeks-i...

[MartG]

Yes - SpaceX seem to have actually completed more of the testing required to put a manned Dragon into space

[MartG]

It seems Boeing have hit a couple of issues which have delayed the first flight

One is the usual problem encountered in building any modern aircraft - it put on a bit too much weight. The second issue is related to the auerodynamics and the acoustic environment just after launch

http://spaceflightnow.com/2016/08/02/boeing-nears-...

[MartG]

Simpo Two said:

The difference as I see it, though may be wrong, is that the older companies you list were 'proper' companies that were ultimately working for Government contracts.

All those 'proper' companies started off in a similar way to SpaceX, often driven by one person. The clue is in the company names - Jack Northrop, Glenn Martin, Billy Boeing, Allan and Malcolm Loughead ( Lockheed ) etc.

[MartG]

Seems they've found a fix for the aero-acoustic problem

http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-and-boeing-unveil-atl...

[MartG]

The fix seems to have been to add a skirt to the base of the spacecraft

[MartG]

Starliner's RCS thrusters have passed qualification testing

http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/bo...

[MartG]

Atlas V launcher for unmanned Starliner test flight being prepared



pic from Boeing

More info http://www.boeing.com/space/starliner/

[MartG]

Centaur stage adapter with avionics being installed



Starliner support structure in progress.

[MartG]

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/01/atlas-v-fl...

[MartG]

Starliner training article at Houston, along with the Orion one. No Dragon capsule one there as training is done in house by SpaceX



Though there is a mockup of the stowage compartment for cargo Dragon there

Edited by MartG on Wednesday 14th February 18:43

[MartG]

Rocketdyne has delivered Starliner's re-entry thrusters

http://www.rocket.com/article/aerojet-rocketdyne-s...

[MartG]

Boeing and NASA have updated their contract, allowing for a potential 3rd crewmember on its test flight(s) and a possible ISS stay extending beyond the planned 2 weeks

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-boeing-may-evolv...

[MartG]

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken, Eric Boe and Doug Hurley conduct a fully-suited exercise in Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner mockup trainer during early May at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Credits: NASA & Boeing

[MartG]

Beati Dogu said:

BTW, the Russians are charging $81 million a seat to the ISS now.

More than a reused F9 launch !

[MartG]

Tweet about landing operations tests

https://twitter.com/astro_kimbrough/status/1005151...

[MartG]

The Dual Engine Centaur for the first flight of the The Boeing Company CST-100 Starliner is in the final stage of production and checkout and will be shipping to the Cape soon!

For Starliner missions, we will fly two RL10A-4-2 engines on the #AtlasV’s Centaur upper stage.

- Boeing

[MartG]

Looks like there may be a delay

https://spacenews.com/boeings-starliner-launch-abo...

[MartG]

Couple of pics of the Atlas being prepared for Starliner's test flight

[MartG]

ULA press release

We are one step closer to the launch of Atlas V Starliner! The OVI stack is complete! The Centaur has been hoisted upright and attached to the interstage adapter that supports the stage atop the Atlas V rocket’s first stage during the initial minutes of launch. The Launch Vehicle Adapter (LVA) that allows the Starliner to sit above the Centaur was mated to the upper stage. This three-piece combined element is called the OVI stack, or Off-site Vertical Integration, for the Atlas V rocket. Read more about the OVI stack on our blog at http://bit.ly/AVStarlinerUpdates