Boeing ’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft . Boeing / Boeing
Boeing Space is another step nearer to perform its long - expect first crewed test flight of steps of the CST-100 Starliner space vehicle .
The approaching test flight of steps to the International Space Station ( ISS ) — presently put for no earlier than April — was give a boost on Thursday after Boeing Space confirmed the integrity of the advance design of the Starliner ’s main parachute , which deploys during the capsule ’s descent at the conclusion of a mission .
Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft.Boeing / Boeing
“ Data analysis shows the two - parachute test … was a success , and all test objectives were met , remove the fashion for the Crew Flight Test , ” Boeing Spacesaid in a poston social media , add together that the enhanced parachute design “ improves the system ’s soft links , reinforce its main chute suspension , and beef up its stellate product line , ” compared to the previous iteration .
Boeing Space also divulge that the young parachute system has now been installed on the Starliner in cookery for the test flight .
Another online post ( below ) let in footage of the parachute test that occupy lieu last month :
Our team recently joined@Commercial_Crewto evaluate#Starliner's upgraded parachute excogitation .
Data analytic thinking prove the two - chute trial over@ypg_azwas a winner and all test objectives were met , clearing the way for the Crew Flight Test.pic.twitter.com/D7fxAGD179
& mdash ; Boeing Space ( @BoeingSpace)February 15 , 2024
The first crewed Starliner mission will see NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams go aboard the Boeing Space capsule to the ISS for a stay of up to two hebdomad . The distich will pass their time working alongside other ISS crewmembers before heading home in the Starliner for a chute - assist landing in the Southwest of the U.S.
A successful mission will ease NASA ’s trust on SpaceX ’s Crew Dragon spacecraft , which has been fly astronauts to and from the blank post since 2020 . SpaceX ’s 8th operational crewed flight is set up totake place at the beginning of March .
The Starliner has faced many challenges during its ontogeny . A hatful of number with the spacecraft emerged in 2019 follow its first uncrewed tryout flight , which failed to get hold of the ISS . These were define ahead of another mental testing flight in 2022 that come after in docking with the ISS for several days before come back home .
However , ongoing offspring with elements of the space vehicle ’s aim have since wedge several delays to the launch of the Starliner ’s first crewed escape . relegate any last - minute issues , the mission is now on racetrack to take place in April or presently after .
