Tag: CST-100
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Boeing Starliner trio preparing for test flights
Boeing is progressing through various stages of assembling the first three CST-100 Starliner spacecraft – the latter of which will launch a NASA crew on a test flight to the International Space Station (ISS). A number of major milestones are upcoming, including a Design Certification Review (DCR) for trips to the orbital outpost. Starliner: Part…
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SpaceX and Boeing in home stretch for Commercial Crew readiness
With just one year to go until the scheduled completion of all uncrewed and crewed test flights for SpaceX and Boeing’s commercial crew transportation services, the NASA Advisory Council recently held a routine review of the technical, hardware, software, and training progress the two companies are making toward the goal of returning the capability to…
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Commercial Crew providers making “significant progress” toward first flights
As the mid-way point of 2017 arrives, both of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program service providers are making significant progress toward the first uncrewed test flights of their Dragon and Starliner capsules. At their second quarter 2017 meeting, the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel noted this progress while also discussing outstanding concerns regarding the program and vehicles…
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Commercial Crew on tight but achievable timeline for crewed flights in 2018
The long and arduous process of achieving commercial crew transportation services to space is closing in on an important milestone. At a recent update to the NASA Advisory Council, NASA’s commercial crew transportation services program manager discussed numerous aspects to SpaceX and Boeing’s progress over the last few months and revealed that, while the timeline is…
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Animation: The flight of a Boeing Starliner capsule from launch to landing
Animation depicts the flight of Boeing’s Starliner commercial crew capsule, ascending into orbit atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket to reach the International Space Station and re-entry to make an airbag-cushioned touchdown on land. Video courtesy: Boeing
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Video: Take a virtual ride on the Atlas 5 launch pad emergency ziplines
Commercial ziplines have been installed and tested at United Launch Alliance’s Atlas 5 rocket pad as the emergency escape system if astronauts and ground personnel need to evacuate the Crew Access Tower. Read our full story on the new zipliness. Video courtesy: NASA
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Ziplines installed to whisk personnel from danger at Starliner launch pad
Commercial ZipRiders will be used as the emergency escape system at the Atlas 5 launch complex. Credit: NASA CAPE CANAVERAL — Ziplines are used by thrill-seekers in adventures around the world, but now they are coming to the U.S. space program as the emergency escape system for personnel at Cape Canaveral’s Complex 41. Commercial, off-the-shelf…
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SLC-41 completes EES installation ahead of Starliner missions
An Emergency Egress System (EES) has completed its installation into the Crew Access Tower (CAT) at Space Launch Complex -41 (SLC-41) in preparation for Atlas V launches with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. The EES is a vital element for all crew launch vehicles, with the SLC-41 EES working with the traditional “slide wire” concept. SLC-41 EES:…
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Chute tests for Starliner as ASAP worry about RD-180 certification
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is progressing through a series of parachute drop tests, refining the technology for returning the spacecraft back home safely. However, NASA’s safety advisory body has cited certification concerns about a major element for the spacecraft’s ride to space, specifically the RD-180 engine used by the Atlas V launch vehicle. Starliner: The traditionally…
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Astronauts will ride on Starliner capsules in ‘Boeing Blue’ spacesuits
Boeing has unveiled a new lightweight spacesuit, fitted with zippers, breathable stitching and plenty of Velcro, to protect NASA astronauts on trips to the International Space Station aboard the company’s CST-100 Starliner capsule. The “Boeing Blue” garment will shield astronauts as they ride inside the CST-100 spacecraft during launch and landing. The environment inside the…