Tag

Spaceaviation

All articles tagged with #spaceaviation

spaceaviation1 year ago

"Boeing's Starliner Set for Historic Crewed Test Flight on May 6th"

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft has been assembled atop its United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket in preparation for its first crewed test flight to the International Space Station next month with NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. The mission, if successful, will pave the way for operational Starliner missions to the space station. The spacecraft has faced delays and technical challenges, but NASA and Boeing are conducting thorough reviews to ensure safety. This will mark the first time two human-rated US spacecraft will be operational simultaneously, with SpaceX's Crew Dragon already flying astronauts.

spaceaviation1 year ago

"SpaceX Sets New Record with 20th Falcon 9 Launch for Starlink Satellites"

SpaceX achieved a new milestone by successfully launching and landing a Falcon 9 rocket for the 20th time, breaking its own turnaround record with just 2 days, 19 hours, and 42 minutes between launches. The company's ability to rapidly reuse launch pads is crucial in meeting its goal of 144 launches in a year. The Falcon 9 booster that set the record, Booster 1062, has been flying for over 3 years and has completed various missions, including launching satellites and sending humans to orbit. SpaceX is now leading the global launch industry in mission cadence and payload mass sent to orbit, while established companies are lagging behind in implementing similar capabilities.

spaceaviation1 year ago

"Boeing's Starliner: Ready for Crewed Test Flight Launch in May"

Boeing's CST-100 Starliner, named Calypso, was transported from Kennedy Space Center to Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in preparation for its Crew Flight Test (CFT) to the International Space Station in May. The spacecraft, set to carry astronauts for the first time, was greeted by NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. The rollout marks a significant milestone in the spacecraft's journey, with the crew module undergoing fueling and late cargo loading before being lifted atop an Atlas 5 rocket for integration. The Starliner-1 crew, potentially including Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, also observed the event, hinting at the future crew rotation flight in 2025.

spaceaviation1 year ago

"SpaceX Super Heavy Booster Test Prepares for Starship Flight"

SpaceX conducted a static fire test of the Super Heavy booster ahead of its fourth test flight, igniting all 33 Raptor engines for around 7 to 8 seconds. The company will now review the data to determine whether another static fire is needed or if the booster is ready for the upcoming test flight, which could take place as early as next month. Additionally, the spacecraft Ship 29 is undergoing final checkouts before being stacked on top of Booster 11 for a wet dress rehearsal before launch.

spaceaviation1 year ago

"Boeing's First Starliner Astronaut Launch: Commander's Warning and Preparations"

Boeing's Starliner capsule is set for its first crewed test flight in May, with NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore warning that it won't be perfect and that challenges are expected. Boeing has faced technical issues and delays with its Starliner program, including a failed uncrewed test flight in 2019. Despite recent successes, such as a docking at the ISS, the company still faces technological issues. Boeing officials are optimistic about the upcoming crewed test flight, but it's acknowledged that modifications will likely be necessary before NASA certifies it as a reliable alternative to SpaceX's Crew Dragon.

spaceaviation1 year ago

"Boeing and NASA Set May 1 Date for Starliner's First Crewed Flight to Space Station"

NASA and Boeing are targeting May 1 for the first crewed flight of the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft to the International Space Station, with astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on board. The mission will launch atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, with docking scheduled for May 2. The spacecraft's maneuverability will be tested during the trip, and lessons learned from previous test flights have led to improvements in the spacecraft's systems.

spaceaviation1 year ago

"Boeing's Starliner: Navigating Imperfections on Crew Test Flight to the Moon"

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is set to undergo its first crewed test flight in May, seven years behind schedule. The test will involve NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams flying the Starliner to the International Space Station and back. This comes at a challenging time for Boeing, as the company has faced significant safety issues and a shakeup in leadership, with the CEO announcing his departure at the end of the year.

spaceaviation1 year ago

"Boeing's Starliner Cleared for First Astronaut Flight After Tape Removal"

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is set for its first crewed flight to the International Space Station in May, following the removal of safety hazards including flammable tape and parachute concerns. The spacecraft, part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, has faced multiple delays and setbacks, but is now ready for launch with astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore on board. This marks a significant milestone for Boeing in its efforts to provide NASA with an alternative to relying solely on SpaceX for crewed missions to the ISS.

spaceaviation1 year ago

"Boeing Prepares Starliner Capsule for Inaugural Astronaut Launch"

Boeing has initiated the fueling process for its Starliner capsule in preparation for its first astronaut launch, the Crew Flight Test (CFT), scheduled for early May. The mission will carry NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore to the International Space Station for a 10-day stay. Despite previous technical issues, including problems with parachutes and wiring, Boeing and NASA officials are confident in the spacecraft's readiness for the upcoming mission.

spaceaviation1 year ago

"Final Launch: ULA's Delta IV Heavy NROL-70 Mission Prepares for Last Flight"

United Launch Alliance's Delta IV Heavy is set to make its final flight, concluding over three decades of missions primarily for the United States government. The heavy variant, consisting of three Delta rockets, will carry a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office. The retirement of the Delta IV is attributed to the introduction of the more cost-effective Vulcan rocket, marking the end of an era for United Launch Alliance as it transitions to new launch capabilities.

spaceaviation1 year ago

"SpaceX Receives FAA Approval for Third Starship Launch"

SpaceX has been cleared by the FAA to attempt its third Starship test flight on Thursday morning, aiming to build on past prototype flights and demonstrate new capabilities, including opening and closing the spacecraft door, fuel transfer during flight, and a splashdown in the Indian Ocean. The company has made changes to the rocket following an investigation into the problems encountered during the second test flight in November, and plans to livestream the launch.

spaceaviation1 year ago

"SpaceX's Starship 3rd Test Flight: Updates and Viewing Guide"

SpaceX is preparing for the potential 3rd test flight of Starship, targeting the morning of Thursday, March 14th, pending the launch license from the FAA. Teams have been working on preparing Ship 28 and Booster 10, with the Flight Termination System installed and scaffolding removed. The mission’s launch profile has been adjusted for a splash down just East of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean for increased public safety. NASA has suggested a fuel transfer demonstration, pending confirmation from SpaceX.

spaceaviation1 year ago

"Flight Crew Member Captures Stunning Falcon 9 Launch from Plane Window"

A flight crew member inadvertently captured the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from a plane passing Cape Canaveral, sharing the "once in a lifetime" video on TikTok. The awe-inspiring footage garnered over 28,000 comments, with viewers expressing amazement and sympathy for passengers on the opposite side of the plane. In related news, SpaceX has achieved a milestone with Starlink's 'Direct-to-Cell' satellites, while its Crew-7 mission has successfully concluded with the return of the Dragon spacecraft to Earth.

spaceaviation1 year ago

"Boeing Starliner's Crewed Flight to ISS Delayed to Early May"

Boeing's Starliner crewed flight to the International Space Station (ISS) has been delayed once again, this time due to scheduling conflicts, pushing the launch to early May. The mission aims to take two astronauts to the ISS for a brief stay before returning to Earth after one to two weeks. The Starliner program has faced a decade of delays and technical issues, but this latest delay is due to administrative reasons. Despite the setbacks, NASA will host news conferences on March 22 to discuss the mission's objectives and plans.

spaceaviation1 year ago

"Boeing's Starliner: Astronaut Launch Set for Spring Liftoff"

Boeing's Starliner crew capsule is set to launch astronauts into orbit in April after addressing technical issues with its parachute deployment system and flammable tape. Engineers have redesigned critical components of the parachute system and removed flammable tape from the spacecraft. The upcoming Crew Flight Test is targeted for liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, with veteran NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on board for a roughly 10-day test flight to the International Space Station.