After several delays and two failed attempts this afternoon Boeing I’ll try to run it again Starliner capsule. The launch will take place at 10:52 Cape Canaveral time. Therefore, in Mexico it can be seen on 8:52 and in Spain at 16:52 (15:52 in the Canary Islands). It will be broadcast live on NASA and Boeing channels.
If all goes well, NASA will now have two crew and cargo delivery systems ready to go. International Space Station (ISS). Another thing is the capsule. Dragon Crewfrom SpaceX, which has already carried out several successful deliveries, with which 50 astronauts were sent to the ISS. Boeing has encountered a few more obstacles along the way, but they are hopeful of launching this afternoon.
In fact, if everything goes well, there is no time to waste. NASA has already hired 6 manned flights, and perhaps there will be even more in the future. But why is this capsule so important?
Two million dollar NASA contracts
At the beginning of the last decade, NASA announced a competition two contracts private companies to help send astronauts and payload to the ISS. After the selection process, the lucky winners were SpaceX and Boeing. The first one was received in 2014 $2.6 billion for the construction of the Crew Dragon capsule, and the second – a larger amount of 4.2 billionfor the production of Starliner.
After completion of construction, both companies began launch tests. SpaceX made its first successful launch in 2020 and has since made several flights to the ISS. Boeing instead He still had many problems.
Boeing Starliner test failures
Boeing faced both delays and test failures just before launch.
Firstly, as always happens with ships of this type, independent tests several of its components. This has revealed problems such as aerodynamic problems, outdated software relative to NASA guidelines, or a leak in the hypergolic propulsion system. Additionally, during a platform abort test conducted in 2019, one of its parachutes failed. Fortunately, the landing was correct, but he could have faced risk if he had one less parachute.
All this was resolved by the first unmanned test launch, which took place in December 2019. Here the first malfunction was discovered, preventing the capsule from docking with the international space station. He onboard clock was not working properly, so he determined that he was performing an orbital maneuver instead of a flight to the ISS. Luckily, he managed to land at the designated location and the problem was solved on the second try. In addition, the other two software errors, which were also solved, as well as 80 improvement suggestions written by engineers during testing.
The second Starliner test was scheduled to take place in August 2021. However pull valve problemswhich has been corroded by moisture. This led to the launch being delayed until next year. In May 2022 several problems in thermal systems and engine failures. This time the capsule managed to dock with the ISS, but the test could not be considered a resounding success due to the detected malfunctions.
First attempts with crew
These problems were corrected in time for the first manned launch, which was scheduled to take place in July 2023. However, it had to be postponed when errors were discovered in the parachute, harness and wire harness, which turned out to be faulty. flammable.
The launch was pushed back to May 6, 2024, just a month ago. Everything was ready that day. Astronauts Butch Wilmar and Sunita Williams They were already on board the capsule and it seemed that everything would be fine. However, two hours before launch, an error was discovered in one of the valves of the rocket that was supposed to launch the capsule into space, and the mission had to be aborted.
What will happen to Starliner today?
Today is the third attempt to launch Starliner with a crew. The astronauts will be the same and all mistakes will be corrected. Boeing engineers are optimistic about the launch.
If all goes well, this will be the first of at least six flights contracted by NASA. The capsule is designed to carry up to 7 crew members, although on NASA-sponsored trips the maximum 4 astronauts. Everything else will be cargo for the International Space Station. Since the capsule is reusable up to 10 flights, it will undoubtedly have a long journey ahead, comparable to what the SpaceX Crew Dragon has already begun to travel. There are only a few hours left to check if everything is ok. We will be attentive and tell you what happened.
Source: Hiper Textual
