Boeing will launch their Starliner Spacecraft on an uncrewed test mission to the ISS, for the second time.
Watch the Angry Astronaut giving his ranty summary of how we ended up here:
Why does NASA still need Starliner?
Scott Manley's recap of the first failed attempt in his "RED GOWN OF DOOM":
Boeing's New Spacecraft Gets Lost On Way To Space Station
The project has been plagued by cost overruns and delays, but it is still considred a worthwhile excercise, because there are currently only two vehicles, able to ferry people to and from the International Space Station. The russian Soyus and SpaceX' Dragon Capsule.**
Official NASA briefing for the test:
Pre-Launch Conference for Boeing's 2nd Test Flight of Starliner Capsule
It will launch on top of an Atlas V rocket in a N22 configuration, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
In Atlas configuration speak, N22 means:
- First number is the fairing diameter. In this case Null (N). The capsule doesn't need fairings.
- Second number is the number of solid rocket strap on boosters (SRB): 2
- Third number is the number of Centaur upper stage engines: 2
Payload mass is 13,200 kg
Check out Tim Dodd crawling around the Starliner Capsule:
What it's like to fly the Boeing Starliner CST-100 Spaceship
A comparison between SpaceX' Dragon and Boeing's Starliner by Tim Dodd:
How SpaceX and Boeing will get Astronauts to the ISS
Weather is 70% go according to the 45th Weather Squadron.
Check your local time of launch at: www.timeanddate.com
Where to watch:
- Tim Dodd: Watch Boeing and ULA launch Starliner to the ISS!
- NASA: Boeing Starliner OFT-2 Launch (Official NASA Broadcast)
Useful links to stay up to date on launches:
Spaceflightnow.com: Launch Schedule
Everyday Astronaut: Prelaunch Previews
Space News:
NASA Spaceflight nasaspacefight.com
TMRO: YouTube
Track Starlink satellites: https://satellitemap.space/
Subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Starlink
** and re-boost of the ISS. Which has been the sole capability of russian vehicles. Despite Elon's assurances, the Dragon is less than ideal for the job.
Vote for my witness: @blue-witness
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