The launch of the capsule, called Starliner, is scheduled for 6:54 p.m. ET on Thursday from the Cape Canaveral space station in Florida. If all goes well, the Atlas V rocket will launch the capsule into orbit, then separate and spend about 24 hours flying freely in orbit before arriving on the ISS and making light contact by docking with the spacecraft where it is scheduled. . to stay for less than a week. On board this mission will be some supplies for astronauts who are already aboard the ISS, as well as a mannequin dressed in a spacesuit, named Rosie, after the era of World War II Rosie Kaletetsa. But “if all goes well” proved difficult for the program, which Boeing originally hoped would start operating in 2017, but was plagued by delays and development disruptions. The first attempt at this test flight, called OFT-1, was interrupted in 2019 due to a problem with the Starliner onboard clock. The mistake kept the pushers aboard the capsule from igniting the course, and officers decided to return the spacecraft home instead of continuing the mission. It took more than a year to eradicate this problem and a number of other software problems. Most recently, Starliner was plagued by valve problems. When the spacecraft was launched at the launch site in August 2021, a pre-flight inspection revealed that the key valves were stuck in place and engineers were unable to rectify the problem immediately.
Eventually, the capsule had to be returned from the launch pad. When engineers failed to repair it at the site, it eventually had to be taken all the way to the Boeing plant for more thorough troubleshooting.
Since then, valves have become a constant source of controversy for the company. According to a recent Reuters report, the Alabama-based subcontractor Aerojet Rocketdyne is at odds with Boeing over the root cause of the valve problem.
Boeing and NASA disagree, according to a report and comments from NASA staff at recent press conferences.
Their investigation shows that moisture is falling into the valves and causing “corrosion” and “bonding”, Boeing vice president and Starliner program manager Mark Napie told a news conference last week. This prompted the company to develop a short-term solution, creating a cleaning system that includes a small bag designed to protect against moisture that causes corrosion. NASA and Boeing say they are pleased with the decision.
“We’re in really good shape to fly this system,” said NASA’s Commercial Crew program manager Steve Stitch last week.
But that may not be the end. Boeing revealed last week that it may eventually need to change the design of the valves.
“We have a few additional tests that we want to do, and based on those results, we will confirm what changes we will make in the future,” Napi said. “We’ll probably know more in the coming months.”
If Boeing moves forward with a more extensive redesign of the valves, it is unclear how long this will take or whether it could further delay Boeing’s first astronaut mission, which is currently years behind. Breaks with Starliner also cost the company about half a billion dollars, according to public documents.
Meanwhile, SpaceX, once considered a weak competitor in NASA’s commercial crew program, has already launched five astronaut missions for NASA, as well as two tourist missions. His vehicle’s first astronaut launch, Crew Dragon, was the first to transport astronauts into orbit from the United States since the space shuttle program withdrew in 2011.
Add Comment