Boeing Starliner

[Flyaway]

Launch of Starliner has been officially scrubbed.

 

[TomS]

Launch of Starliner has been officially scrubbed.

Necessary, since I understand that the launch window to ISS is instantaneous -- if it isn't ready to go at the designated moment, it can't go at all. Hopefully they can recycle it to tomorrow.

 

[Flyaway]

Scrub appears to be a software issue.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1796944486582419564

View: https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/1796944486582419564

William Harwood
@cbs_spacenews
A5/Starliner CFT: The scrub was triggered by the ground launch sequencer, a computer system that controls the final stages of the countdown; still no word on what the GLS might have noticed to force a scrub, but the team is protectively configuring for a possible 24-hour turnaround

https://twitter.com/x/status/1796944517397942290

View: https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/1796944517397942290

William Harwood
@cbs_spacenews
A5/Starliner CFT: NASA says the GLS did not load the proper configuration files when the countdown resumed; not clear what that actually means, but if it's a software problem, another launch try tomorrow might be possible. No way to know at this point

 

[FighterJock]

Not good news at all, Garbage in Garbage Out. Buggy software.

 

[TJDougherty01]

Config files are the initial parameters for a program. The starting data numbers and file locations for a program. The failure of one of the three redundant units was due to the computer ground launch sequencer not loading in the correct operational configuration after proceeding into terminal count.

The ISS crew will have to hold off on bathroom breaks for at least another day, until the new urine pump arrives.

 

[FighterJock]

I have had my fare share of problems with setting up certain config files on my old PCs years ago so it is a problem I know all too well. There will be a lot of head scratching going on behind the scenes I am sure.

 

[PMN1]

 

[NMaude]

There will be a lot of head scratching going on behind the scenes I am sure.

No doubt someone has been yelled at privately by management.

 

[NMaude]

The Space Bucket has put out a video about the Strainer launch scrub:

Earlier this morning Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft was sat atop an Atlas V and ready to launch. Unfortunately, with around 4 minutes left in the count, the vehicle went into an automatic hold that eventually scrubbed the flight. This was the second attempt with the last one being scrubbed early last month on the 6th.

So far, we’ve received reports that the scrub had to do with a ground computer initially halting the countdown related to issues with it not loading in the correct operational configuration. While that was the reason for the scrub, there were a few other issues leading up to that point as well. Here I will go more in-depth into what happened, the next launch attempt, final mission prep, and more.

Full article here - https://thespacebucket.com/why-was-bo...

 

[Archibald]

(airplane !)

Surely you can't be serious ! And neither can Boeing, or so it seems...

 

[NMaude]

Surely you can't be serious ! And neither can Boeing, or so it seems...

Don't call me Shirley.

 

[FighterJock]

So any ideas as to when the next launch attempt will be? I do not think that they will go until all the outstanding issues that caused yesterday's scrub have been sorted.

 

[Flyaway]

Starliner’s launch is now NET 5th June.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1797016248611381450

View: https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1797016248611381450

Starliner won't launch on Sunday. NASA notes they are moving to the next available launch opportunities: Wednesday, June 5, and Thursday, June 6.

NASA, Mission Partners Forego June 2 Launch of Crew Flight Test

NASA, Boeing, and ULA (United Launch Alliance) are forgoing a Crew Flight Test launch attempt Sunday, June 2, to give the team additional time to assess a ground support equipment issue at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Space Launch Complex-41 in Florida.

Saturday's launch was to carry NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to and from the International Space Station scrubbed due to an observation of a ground launch sequencer. The system was unsuccessful in verifying the sequencer's necessary redundancy.

ULA will assess the ground support equipment overnight, and NASA will provide an update June 2 on next steps for the flight. The next available launch opportunities are Wednesday, June 5, and Thursday, June 6.

 

[FighterJock]

Good to see that the launch now have two possible dates 5 and 6 of June. Let's see if they can make the launch window as well.

 

[Flyaway]

Ground system Launch Sequencer Repair is complete (replacement of power chassis). Retesting nearly complete. Engineering Review Board just finished up. Good to go pending successful finishing of the retesting.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1797322732360663540

View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1797322732360663540

https://twitter.com/x/status/1797407498980184571

View: https://twitter.com/commercial_crew/status/1797407498980184571

.@NASA’s @BoeingSpace Crew Flight Test mission teams are preparing to support a launch at 10:52am ET June 5.

The @ulalaunch team identified an issue with a single ground power supply that encountered issues during the countdown and scrubbed the June 1 launch attempt.

On Sunday, the chassis containing the faulty ground power unit was replaced and ULA confirmed all hardware is performing normally.

More:

NASA, Mission Partners Target June 5 Crew Flight Test Launch - NASA's Boeing Crew Flight Test

NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test mission teams are preparing to support a launch at 10:52 a.m. EDT Wednesday, June 5, from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape

blogs.nasa.gov

 

[FighterJock]

So June 5th for the launch of Starliner, weather and any problems permitting.

 

[Flyaway]

Livestream for today’s launch:

View: https://youtu.be/HneVxAmYcaA

 

[FighterJock]

Here we go again. Everything crossed that Starliner launches without fault.

 

[TomcatViP]

less than 30min left and it´s still a go.

 

[FighterJock]

Launched successfully.

 

[TomS]

Curious that "Main Engine Cutoff " happens well after the first stage separation. Seems to refer to the Centaur, not the Atlas.

 

[TomcatViP]

Yes. Weird choice. (at least way off what SpaceX has used us to)
Sad also there isn't much of a live feed.

On orbit now.

 

[FighterJock]

Kept getting sound cut off's during the run up and during the launch, wonder what the problem was, never experienced it during other launches, anyway let's wish them a smooth journey up to the ISS.

 

[TomS]

Kept getting sound cut off's during the run up and during the launch, wonder what the problem was, never experienced it during other launches, anyway let's wish them a smooth journey up to the ISS.

Sound was fine for me watching on the NASA TV YouYube feed.

 

[Archibald]

1-To spoof Ian Malcolm "They did it ! Crazy sons of Boeing, THEY DID IT !"
2-Screw you Vlad Pudding, we don't need Soyuz anymore, not even as backup
3- Chang'e 6 : CHECK , Starliner: CHECK, Starship: NEXT.
Hell of a good week for a space nerd.

 

[Byeman]

Yes. Weird choice. (at least way off what SpaceX has used us to)
Sad also there isn't much of a live feed.

On orbit now.
Atlas

Classic Atlas used (yes, spaceflight existed before SpaceX):
BECO - Booster Engine Cutoff
SECO - Sustainer Engine Cutoff
MECO - Main Engine Cutoff (missions with Centaur)

Atlas V
BECO - Booster Engine Cutoff
MECO - Main Engine Cutoff (Centaur)

Delta
MECO - Main Engine Cutoff
SECO - Second stage Engine Cutoff (SpaceX forgets the word "stage")

 

[Flyaway]

Starliner CFT launch:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hr069XLAWQ

 

[Flyaway]

A5/Starliner CFT: Mission control confirmed a good orbit insertion burn; the Starliner is now safely in orbit, on course for rendezvous with the International Space Station at 12:15pm EDT (1615 UTC) Thursday; later today, Wilmore and Williams will test the spacecraft's manual controls before calling it a day and beginning a 9-hour sleep period; wakeup is expected at 4:30am (0830 UTC)

https://twitter.com/x/status/1798376334692909231

View: https://x.com/cbs_spacenews/status/1798376334692909231

 

[TomS]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1798376334692909231

View: https://x.com/cbs_spacenews/status/1798376334692909231

Thanks for this update. The launch commentary was a bit confusing and seemed to be saying that the manual attitude control checks would be done before the orbital insertion burn, which seemed odd to me.

 

[TheKutKu]

What a launch! Congratulation ULA, NASA and Boeing.

61 years 21 days 1 hour 48 minutes and 1 second between Mercury-Atlas 9 and Starliner-Atlas 3 (CFT)

First time the RL-10 sent astronauts to (near) orbit, 65 years after the first ignition of its predecessors.

First time a country has two different flight proven crewed capsules/vehicles at the same time*!

*ussr was close by two to four (depending on how generous one is ) occasions, but never proved it.

 

[Dilandu]

Finally!

 

[Michel Van]

No more Stayliner…
…for the moment

The TI team at my work take bets
Wenn the STARLINER crew is recovered by crew Dragon

 

[publiusr]

Think they can see the Starship launch tomorrow out a porthole?

 

[NMaude]

The Space Bucket has just put out a video about the crewed launch of the Starliner:

Earlier this morning after over a decade of development and testing, we finally watched Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft lift off with humans aboard. This came after a few scrubbed attempts primarily related to the Atlas V launch vehicle both on the 1st of this month and early last month. Fourntately, today there were no issues, and as the clock hit zero the engines ignited and the rocket soon cleared the pad.

By now, Starliner is making its way to the International Space Station with around 20 hours left in its journey. With this mission being considered a test, the rest of the journey to the ISS to the docking and finally the return to Earth will primarily focus on the crew. Here I will go more in-depth into the launch, the remaining mission plan, next steps, and more.

Full article here - https://thespacebucket.com/starliners...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...rewed-spacecraft-just-launched/&v=YcRUN5QcBaQ

For more space-related content check out - https://thespacebucket.com/https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...A&q=https://thespacebucket.com/&v=YcRUN5QcBaQ

Credit:

NASA - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLA_...https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLA_DiR1FfKNvjuUpBHmylQ

Boeing - https://www.youtube.com/@Boeinghttps://www.youtube.com/@Boeing

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

0:39 - Initial Launch

4:07 - The Remaining Mission

 

[NMaude]

The Space Bucket has just put out a video concerning new Helium leaks in the Starliner CSM post-launch:

What was originally found soon after the first scrubbed launch attempt back in May and determined to be a manageable helium leak, has since turned into a bigger problem in space. Specifically, after the first launch scrub, officials discovered a leak in one of Starliner’s RCS thrusters. While not ideal, they decided that it was manageable, and that it could be left as is even during the launch.

Unfortunately, not long after this morning’s successful launch with two crew members aboard, the problem has gotten worse, with even more helium leaks being found. This comes as the crew prepares to try and dock to the International Space Station in the morning. Here I will go more in-depth into the new leaks, their significance, what this means for the rest of the mission, and more.

Full article here - https://thespacebucket.com/boeings-cr...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...cecraft-is-leaking-more-helium/&v=urYub_xRVg4

For more space-related content check out - https://thespacebucket.com/https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...w&q=https://thespacebucket.com/&v=urYub_xRVg4

Credit: NASA - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLA_...https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLA_DiR1FfKNvjuUpBHmylQ

Boeing - https://www.youtube.com/@Boeinghttps://www.youtube.com/@Boeing

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

0:38 - More Helium Leaks

3:28 - Data Before The Launch

Let's hope this doesn't lead to a mission abort and an early return to Earth.

 

[FighterJock]

Not another helium leak so soon after launch, let's wait to see what Boeing has to say about the problem. Looks like the capsule will have to be examined very carefully once it has landed.

 

[Flyaway]

Not another helium leak so soon after launch, let's wait to see what Boeing has to say about the problem. Looks like the capsule will have to be examined very carefully once it has landed.

I think it maybe more than one additional leak.

 

[FighterJock]

More than one leak Flyaway? That sounds serious, in that case they had better abort the mission and land the capsule as fast as possible. I do not want the crew to stay in space too long.

 

[TomS]

More than one leak Flyaway? That sounds serious, in that case they had better abort the mission and land the capsule as fast as possible. I do not want the crew to stay in space too long.

Calm down there.

They have seen leaks in three of the maneuvering thruster packs, but two of the three affected segments were isolated and the leaks stopped. This cost them some maneuvering thrusters but not so many that they can't fly the mission safely. There is a lot of redundancy built into these things.

Before launch, when they had one leak, the mission managers said they could handle a leak up to 100 times larger than the one they observed. And we are probably still in that ballpark -- these are tiny leaks, well within the capacity of the system to manage.

Anyone who has worked with helium will tell you that it's a bastard and leaks all the time. Tiny molecules, totally unreactive, it is very hard to contain. The only thing worse is gaseous hydrogen, which will literally seep through solid metal.

 

[NMaude]

More than one leak Flyaway? That sounds serious, in that case they had better abort the mission and land the capsule as fast as possible. I do not want the crew to stay in space too long.

I'm not certain but hasn't the Starliner just docked with the ISS?