United Launch Alliance Set to Launch the CST-100 Starliner Spacecraft on Orbital Flight Test-2
CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, Fla. (United Launch Alliance PR) — A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket is in final preparations to launch Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft on the Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) to the International Space Station (ISS) for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The launch is planned for Thurs. May 19 at 6:54 p.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The live launch broadcast begins no earlier than 6 p.m. EDT on May 19 at www.ulalaunch.com.
“The second orbital flight test will provide us with an opportunity to further analyze the unique technologies developed for our Atlas V launch vehicle in support of NASA’s human spaceflight program,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. “We have worked very closely with Boeing and our industry partners to ensure the Atlas V rocket is ready to launch Starliner to the International Space Station. The integrated team remains focused on crew safety and this mission brings us one step closer to flying astronauts.”
The Atlas V rocket will deliver Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft to a 98-nautical mile (nmi) sub-orbital trajectory. Following separation from the Atlas V, the Starliner engines will propel the spacecraft to its final orbit and on to the ISS.
Modified specifically for the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, the Atlas V configuration does not include a payload fairing. Instead, the Starliner’s own protective surfaces take the place of the fairing to protect the uncrewed spacecraft during launch and ascent.
The Starliner is attached to the Atlas V using a launch vehicle adapter (LVA), which includes an aeroskirt to reduce aerodynamic loads on the vehicle. The Atlas V booster for this mission is powered by the RD AMROSS RD-180 engine. The Atlas V Centaur is powered by dual Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10A-4-2 engines, each producing 22,600 lb of thrust. The Centaur upper stage includes an active Emergency Detection System (EDS) that monitors the health of the rocket throughout the flight. The EDS also provides critical in-flight data that supports jettison of the ascent cover and initiates Starliner spacecraft separation. Aerojet Rocketdyne provided the two AJ-60A solid rocket boosters.
This will be the 93rd launch of the Atlas V rocket and the 104th launch from Space Launch Complex-41. To date ULA has launched 149 times with 100 percent mission success.
Leveraging a legacy of 100 percent mission success launching over 145 missions to explore, protect and enhance our world, ULA is the nation’s most experienced and reliable launch service provider with world-leading reliability, schedule confidence, and mission optimization. The technologies we launch protect our country and troops in the battlefield, enable search and rescue, aid meteorologists in tracking severe weather, deliver cutting-edge commercial services, and expand our understanding of the Earth. We deliver value unmatched by any launch services company in the industry, a tireless drive to improve, and commitment to the extraordinary.
10 responses to “United Launch Alliance Set to Launch the CST-100 Starliner Spacecraft on Orbital Flight Test-2”
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My the force be with you. Go Starliner
Be sure to sync the clocks this time…
Remember, Boeing, if you mess this one up, it’s another $400 million to do another test. No pressure.
More likely Boeing will quit and cancel the Starliner program. The beancounters don’t like spend Boeing’s own money on anything.
NASA wouldn’t like to see Boeing quit…bad PR. I wonder if it would modify the contract and kick in more money to keep Boeing in the game? Hopefully things will go well, and we won’t have to find out.
Unlikely that NASA can find another $400M to keep Boeing in the game. As you say, lets not have to find out.
I think it’s a fixed price contract. NASA isn’t on the hook for reflights. This one came out of Boeing’s hide.
Boeing has already extorted some additional money from NASA for mission assurance.
SpaceX just completed another successful Starlink launch, the third this week, so there is nothing to delay Starliner’s flight. Yes, too routine to be news worthy anymore.
In addition to now having more launches that ULA, SpaceX has launched more in a week than ULA has this year to date. 21/2 should be more than just embarrassing to someone.