NASA announced that it is targeting May 2022 for two orbital test flights of Boeing’s beleaguered Starliner CST-100 spacecraft, which may one day carry astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). The first uncrewed test flight of the Boeing spacecraft took place in December 2019. It had to be seen docking with the ISS at this point.
Multiple problems arose with the spacecraft’s software shortly after launch. This resulted in the vehicle failing to reach its intended orbit to take it to the ISS. Then NASA cut the mission short.
NASA and Boeing continue their tests to understand the problem with the Starliner
NASA’s second launch move was canceled during pre-launch checks in August this year when engineers were warned of a problem with the valves connected to the propulsion system in the Starliner’s service module attached to the underside of the capsule. Since then, NASA and Boeing engineers have been evaluating the issue. They still apply various tests to fully understand.
Steve Stich from NASA made a statement earlier this week. At this point, he said: “NASA is working side by side with Boeing on the service module valve investigation, including leveraging the agency’s materials and propellant expertise to better characterize possible causes of the problem. Through combined work, we have a much better understanding of the contributors to valve problems and ways to prevent them from happening in the future. ” said.
If OFT-2 is successful in its test mission and occurs in May next year, the Starliner will launch from Cape Canaveral in Florida on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.
If Boeing can finally fix all the problems associated with the Starliner, the vehicle will follow in the footsteps of SpaceX’s successful Crew Dragon spacecraft. Thus, it will become an integral part of the NASA space program.
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