posted 02-06-2019 11:31 AM               

Please use this topic to discuss Boeing's CST-100 Starliner Orbital Flight Test (OFT) uncrewed mission to the International Space Station.

posted 02-06-2019 11:33 AM               

Boeing's uncrewed Orbital Flight Test is targeted for launch no earlier than April.

The adjustment allows for completion of necessary hardware testing, data verification, remaining NASA and provider reviews, as well as training of flight controllers and mission managers.

posted 04-03-2019 10:22 AM               

Our Starliner team continues to press toward a launch readiness date later this spring.

We recently cleared the last major test milestones ahead of our uncrewed test flight, and are entering the final phases of production on our Orbital Flight Test vehicle. However, we have only a two-day launch window available in May before we must clear the launch pad to allow for an on-time launch of the U.S. Air Force's AEHF-5 mission.

In order to avoid unnecessary schedule pressure, not interfere with a critical national security payload, and allow appropriate schedule margin to ensure the Boeing, United Launch Alliance and NASA teams are able to perform a successful first launch of Starliner, we made the most responsible decision available to us and will be ready for the next launch pad availability in August, while still allowing for a Crew Flight Test later this year.

posted 08-01-2019 02:04 PM               

Met the pilot for the "un-crewed" test flight. Brave, steely-eyed, ice running through veins... and lots of instrumentation. Body-double will make sure it's safe for real bodies. Now for the name...

posted 10-11-2019 04:50 PM               

Boeing Orbital Flight Test: Dec. 17, 2019 at Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida

posted 10-21-2019 04:19 PM               

This NASA emblem will be proudly displayed on Mighty Atlas as it lifts the first ⁦Boeing Starliner to space.

posted 11-21-2019 07:25 AM               

The spacecraft isn't the only thing we're rolling out today! Check out Starliner's new mission website, meet our astronaut team and join the Starliner crew!

posted 11-21-2019 11:10 AM               

Met the pilot for the "un-crewed" test flight... Now for the name...

"Rosie is a symbol of not only the women who are blazing a trail in human spaceflight history, but also of everyone who has shown grit and determination while working tirelessly to ensure the Starliner can transport astronauts safely to and from the International Space Station," Caret said.

"She's flying for everyone on our team who took on the challenge of human spaceflight and said, 'We can do it.'"

posted 12-04-2019 09:24 AM               

From ULA CEO Tory Bruno on Twitter:

Big day yesterday. The bird rolled to the pad, the crew access arm deployed, and the hatch was opened from the access arm for the first time.

RP1 tanking is underway. OFT is near...

posted 12-15-2019 11:09 AM               

We're getting all decked out for our Dec. 20 holiday season flight to the space station. This splash of color representing our partnership with NASA and continued commitment to the future of human spaceflight really makes Starliner shine.

posted 12-17-2019 09:21 AM               

From Thursday into Saturday, the pressure gradient remains tight, with strong high pressure over the Mid-Atlantic and low pressure over Cuba. Winds at the Cape are expected to gust near 22 knots, shifting from the north-northeast on Thu to east on Friday into Saturday.

With sustained onshore flow through Saturday, cumulus clouds are expected to be moving onshore with a slight chance of a brief shower. Any shower in the vicinity has the potential to produce a temporary wind gust near 30 knots with the moderate gradient already in place.

Therefore, the primary concerns for launch day are the Cumulus Cloud Rule and User Ground Winds.

Similar conditions are expected Saturday with slightly higher moisture and wind speeds, so the chance for showers and the POV is increased.

posted 12-19-2019 10:56 AM               

Wondering when and where you may see the historic maiden launch of Atlas V Starliner? This visibility map shows when and where your best chances are to see the rocket! Launch is scheduled for tomorrow at 6:36 a.m. EST from Cape Canaveral.

posted 12-20-2019 06:13 AM               

That was the most spectacular launch I have ever seen from our house. We saw it clear the trees as the typical red glow and then as it passed behind one tree it came out of that tree with this contrail growing that was absolutely amazing and as that contrail grew across the sky at separation it became huge and then we saw second stage ignition and saw it continue towards orbit.

It was absolutely amazing we have never seen anything like that at the house for any launch.

posted 12-21-2019 08:37 AM               

Boeing Astronaut Chris Ferguson Message to Starliner Employees

Chris Ferguson sent this note to Starliner employees Friday evening.

While we were off to a perfect on-time launch this morning, as most of you know by now, the team was presented with unique and unanticipated trajectory challenges shortly after we separated from the launch vehicle. By all measures the Atlas/Centaur performed very well. However, a combination of on-board timing issues and challenges commanding the vehicle resulted in an incomplete orbit insertion burn and higher than planned propellant usage.

We are currently in a safe orbit thanks to the timely actions of the Mission Operations and Mission Support Room teams. The professionalism and poise under what have certainly been the most demanding conditions this veteran team has ever experienced is a testament to their pre-flight preparation and training.

We are working several options to recover Spacecraft 3 at one of our Western U.S. landing locations within the next 48 hours and are approaching the next few days with guarded optimism of a successful recovery. Our Landing and Recovery teams are executing their pre-planned contingency deployment to White Sands Missile Range and will be in position by later this evening to make a fully supported recovery.

To coin a golf analogy, anyone can play in the fairway... only true champions can win while playing out of the rough. Said another way, we will be judged not by our mistakes, but rather by the poise under pressure we demonstrate as we recover from them. We can do this.

posted 12-21-2019 08:02 PM               

NASA Television to Air Boeing Starliner Spacecraft Landing

NASA and Boeing will provide live coverage of the landing on Sunday, Dec. 22, of the company's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, on return from its Orbital Flight Test for NASA's Commercial Crew Program.

Starliner will execute a deorbit burn at 7:23 a.m. EST to begin its return to Earth, headed for a parachute-assisted landing at 7:57 a.m. EST at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico. NASA Television and the agency's website will provide mission coverage ahead the spacecraft reentry and landing beginning at 6:45 a.m. EST.