Starliner Updates

Starliner’s Crew Flight Test now targeted for July

The Starliner spacecraft for the Crew Flight Test in the Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center. (Boeing photo credit)

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams and Mike Fincke maneuver inside the Starliner Crew Flight Test vehicle during Crew Equipment Interface Testing on March 21. (Boeing photo credit)

NASA and Boeing are now targeting July for the Starliner’s Crew Flight Test (CFT) as the teams work together to close out verification items and the agency manages a busy flight schedule to and from the International Space Station (ISS) during the next few months.

Representatives from NASA’s Commercial Crew and ISS programs announced the update at a media telecon Wednesday. While the Starliner spacecraft build is complete, additional time is needed to close out verification and validation work prior to the system’s first flight with crew on board.

“We are very proud of the work the team has done,” said Mark Nappi, vice president and Starliner program manager. “We understand the significance of this mission for both us and NASA. We will launch when we are ready and that includes at a time when the International Space Station can accept our vehicle.”

Meanwhile, the spacecraft’s integrated vehicle testing is going well. The crew module’s interior is in its flight configuration and cargo is loaded with the exception of late-stow items. Last week, NASA astronauts and CFT Commander Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Pilot Sunita “Suni” Williams, and backup pilot Mike Fincke, finished the second part of the Crew Equipment Interface Testing milestone. They maneuvered around the spacecraft getting hands-on experience with the tools and equipment they will use during the flight test.

Wilmore, Williams and Fincke will also conduct several simulations focused on the spacecraft’s backup manual flight mode for added redundancy in the event of an emergency. Fueling the spacecraft and loading updated software flight parameters ensuring alignment with the ISS will be conducted closer to launch.

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NASA astronauts assigned to the Starliner’s upcoming Crew Flight Test (CFT) completed the first part of a two-part Crew Equipment Interface Test (CEIT) this week. CEIT is a critical milestone for NASA, Boeing and the International Space … view more... about Starliner Crew Performs Cabin Operations, Checks Out Tools

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NASA and Boeing will host a mission overview media teleconference at 11 a.m. EST Friday, Feb. 17, to provide a status update on the first astronaut flight test of the company’s CST-100 Starliner to the International Space Station. Launch is targeted … view more... about NASA, Boeing to Host L-2 Month Media Update on First Crewed Starliner Flight