Boeing Starliner OFT-2

SpaceNut · 2024-05-04 13:16:07

Starliner has been in space twice during uncrewed test flights in 2019 and 2022, What's next for Boeing Starliner after its 1st crew flight test?

Given NASA and Boeing have been working for so many years together, and NASA already certified SpaceX's Crew Dragon successfully, Stich emphasized all players are familiar with the certification process and requirements. In fact, some items have been closed off already for Starliner-1: Stich estimated that 17 Starliner-1 requirements have been addressed, even before CFT lifts off on the debut astronaut space mission.
More spacecraft upgrades are already in store for future Starliner missions. For example, Stich said, Starliner-1 will feature improved software to fly to either port of the Harmony module on the ISS for docking operations (for the moment, it is approved to dock at the forward port only.)
Starliner-2, Nappi said, will fly improved oxidizer valves to address issues uncovered on the first uncrewed Starliner mission in 2019, called Orbital Flight Test 1. A new purge system will remove unneeded moisture from the valves, and some of the connector areas have been sealed as well to reduce moisture access.
Boeing's contract with NASA requires missions through Starliner-6. The first three missions are "in the process of being built", Nappi said, while the last three missions have nearly all parts in stock. (A selection of parts are on order.) Atlas V launch vehicles are all being readied for those six flights, too.
When asked if Boeing would consider flying private missions like SpaceX does, for customers like Axiom Space and billionaire Jared Isaacman's Polaris Program, Nappi said NASA's requirements come first. Assuming Boeing meets those expectations, "I think we may start looking at some of the private astronaut missions."

Oldfart1939 · 2024-05-05 22:32:59

Starliner is "stacked" atop it's Atlas V for launch on Monday late afternoon/evening. I'm actually cheering for them to succeed and the crew members seem stoked to go!

Last edited by Oldfart1939 (2024-05-05 22:33:39)

Mars_B4_Moon · 2024-05-06 02:01:05

Mission profile

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnYy3uZA-y8

GW Johnson · 2024-05-06 08:16:42

If successful (and I do hope it is!!!), NASA will "certify" Starliner to carry astronauts to ISS. That means Boeing can start its contract to do so. NASA really did want more than just Dragon to do that job. 20-20 hindsight says it may have been an error not to fund Dreamchaser. Dreamchaser is nearing orbital flight tests despite no government funding.

GW

Oldfart1939 · 2024-05-06 20:35:14

Scrubbed for today.

GW Johnson · 2024-05-07 08:58:43

From AIAA’s “Daily Launch” –

SPACENEWS
Rocket issue scrubs launch of Starliner crewed test flight

Controllers scrubbed the first attempt to launch Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner on a crewed test flight May 6 because of a valve problem with the rocket, delaying the launch by at least four days. The launch director for the Atlas 5 rocket called for the scrub a little more than two hours before the scheduled 10:34 p.m. Eastern launch of the Crew Flight Test mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Using the link to the SpaceNews story, it was an “oxygen relief” valve in the Centaur upper stage that was “buzzing” loudly at 40 Hertz. It could be heard by launch crew at the pad. The valve was apparently opening and closing, and if moving full travel, will have to be replaced as having used up its (fatigue?) life. If so, the vehicle will have to go back to its assembly building. That would be a week or so delay. If not, only days delay. This is a “better safe than sorry” sort of thing.

GW

Oldfart1939 · 2024-05-07 09:58:03

The Atlas V has an impeccable safety record, as does ULA doing these launches. I'm hoping they maintain their record with a crew onboard the Starliner!

GW Johnson · 2024-05-08 08:55:49

Today's "Daily Launch" had a follow-up: they are definitely replacing the valve. Launch no sooner than May 17. It has to go back to the assembly building for this. The terminology is now "oxygen pressure relief valve", which if it malfunctions closed, risks an Apollo-13-style oxygen tank explosion, in a stage that is essentially a stainless steel balloon, originally a Convair stage design from half a century ago, or more. If memory serves, the RL-10 engines were originally a Rocketdyne design, also that long ago.

At least they are doing the right things; safety out-prioritizes schedule and cost. ULA is a joint venture of Boeing and Lockheed-Martin. It would appear that the Boeing corporate mismanagement of its airplane business has not infected the Boeing component of ULA. And for that, I am glad.

GW

SpaceNut · 2024-05-10 19:16:53

Nasa contractor warns against Boeing space launch due to the ‘risk of a disaster’

ValveTech, a contractor that supplies Nasa with valve components for the Starliner aircraft, warned against the imminent launch on 17 May.
“As a valued Nasa partner and as valve experts, we strongly urge them not to attempt a second launch due to the risk of a disaster occurring on the launchpad,” ValveTech president Erin Faville said in a press release.
“According to media reports, a buzzing sound indicating the leaking valve was noticed by someone walking by the Starliner minutes before launch. This sound could indicate that the valve has passed its lifecycle,” Ms Faville wrote.
She urged Nasa to “re-double safety checks and re-examine safety protocols to make sure the Starliner is safe before something catastrophic happens to the astronauts and to the people on the ground,” Ms Faville added.

GW Johnson · 2024-05-14 14:01:16

The "buzzing" valve was an oxygen pressure relief valve that was cycling rapidly open and closed. Replacing it is why they moved the rocket back to the assembly building. That seemingly takes care of whatever Valve Tech was warning about.

The next launch attempt has been delayed a few more days to May 21, so that something leaking in a helium pressurization system for the storable thruster propellants can be fixed, too. This leak was minor enough they could fly with it, but while the thing was back to the assembly building, why not fix this too. It was some sort of leaking flange joint, as near as I can tell.

GW

Oldfart1939 · 2024-05-14 16:20:48

The most important "Take Home Lesson" is: replace questionable components and don't let a software "fix" try to handle an unsafe condition. No matter what some newbie engineer with only a couple years of experience says, there ain't no shame in doing it right when lives are involved.

SpaceNut · 2024-05-14 20:51:36

NASA announces another delay to Boeing Starliner launch

The first crewed flight for Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner will have to wait a little bit longer but is still targeting a May launch. The mission is now slated for no earlier than May 21 at 4:43 p.m, NASA revealed Tuesday.

GW Johnson · Yesterday 09:47:00

Latest news reports say the launch has been pushed back from May 21 to May 25. They tightened the bolts on that leaking flange joint in a helium pressurant line, but that failed to stop the leak from the flange joint. The odds favor either a bad seal in the flange joint (likely a gasket), or else a crack in the line right at the joint. Should it prove to be a crack, it could get worse in flight, presenting a danger, since this is one of the attitude thruster pods. Replacing a gasket could happen fast. Replacing a bad line will fail to meet the revised date.

This thing has been plagued for years with both bad quality control and bad design. Somehow, I am not surprised by this latest problem. If it were up to me, given that history, I would refuse to man-rate it, if I were NASA. It's been a money-loser lately for Boeing's corporate management. Getting an excuse to cancel it may actually be their plan.

GW

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#26 2024-05-04 13:16:07

Re: Boeing Starliner OFT-2

#27 2024-05-05 22:32:59

Re: Boeing Starliner OFT-2

#28 2024-05-06 02:01:05

Re: Boeing Starliner OFT-2

#29 2024-05-06 08:16:42

Re: Boeing Starliner OFT-2

#30 2024-05-06 20:35:14

Re: Boeing Starliner OFT-2

#31 2024-05-07 08:58:43

Re: Boeing Starliner OFT-2

#32 2024-05-07 09:58:03

Re: Boeing Starliner OFT-2

#33 2024-05-08 08:55:49

Re: Boeing Starliner OFT-2

#34 2024-05-10 19:16:53

Re: Boeing Starliner OFT-2

#35 2024-05-14 14:01:16

Re: Boeing Starliner OFT-2

#36 2024-05-14 16:20:48

Re: Boeing Starliner OFT-2

#37 2024-05-14 20:51:36

Re: Boeing Starliner OFT-2

#38 Yesterday 09:47:00

Re: Boeing Starliner OFT-2

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