Numerous delays and postponements due to technical problems. However, today the first test with astronauts of the Starliner spacecraftbelonging to NASA and Boeing.
A helium leak in the service module caused the launch delay until today. Pressure tests on the Starliner’s helium system carried out last Wednesday showed that “the leak in the flange is stable and would not represent a risk at that level during the flight.” Since then, there have already been six delays since the aborted launch on May 6. The last scheduled date had been May 25.
The Starliner’s goal is to remain a week on the International Space Station (ISS) before returning with a planned landing in the southwestern United States. The success of the mission, known as Crew Flight Test (CFT), will allow Boeing to obtain the necessary certifications to operate as a second provider of cargo and crew transportation services to the ISS.
In this way it will be added to SpaceX, Elon Musk’s company. While Space X’s Crew Dragon has been flying astronauts regularly to the orbital complex since May 2020, Boeing’s Starliner has suffered years of delays.
Takeoff is scheduled from Florida aboard an Atlas V rocket from the United Launch Alliance (ULA) company. Those selected to test the ship are Barry Wilmoremission commander, and Sunita Williams, pilot. At around 3:30 p.m., the two astronauts embarking on the journey have entered the ship. An hour and a half later and after verifying that the weather was favorable for the launch, the ship’s hatch was closed.
The spacecraft is expected to dock with the ISS Harmony module on Sunday at 6:50 p.m. The opening of the hatch is scheduled for 9:5 p.m. on the same day.
This is the Starliner spacecraft
This capsule has been released only twice to date, in uncrewed test flights to the orbital laboratory. He suffered various problems in the first mission, which was launched in December 2019. On that occasion it did not manage to reach the orbital complex that it did achieve in a second attempt in May 2022.
The Starliner reusable capsule has a diameter of 4.56 meters and is designed to be capable of transporting up to seven people. It is also capable of remaining in orbit for up to seven months and being reused in up to 10 missions.
Follow the first manned flight live.
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