Atlas V: Boeing Starliner Orbital Flight Test 2 (OFT-2)

[DocM]

Here we go again...

 

Even if this flight is successful Boeing will redesign the propulsion system. Too many flaws in design and material choices.

 

Date: May 19, 2022

Time: 1854 Eastern

Pad: LC-41

Booster: Atlas V  N22

Spacecraft recovery: White Sands, NM

[bguy_1986]

Why even do this test if they are going to redesign it?

[DocM]

On 16/05/2022 at 11:11, bguy_1986 said:

Why even do this test if they are going to redesign it?

 

The best I can come up with is if OFT-2 is successful Boeing gets a milestone payment, which would help them pay for the modifications. So far they're half a $billion in the red due to the aftermath OFT-1.

 

Did I mention that it came out a subcontractor lost his leg during a 2017 Starliner parachute test?  Kept it secret until last week.

 

Another great example of Boeing's safety culture.

[DocM]

Starliner OFT-2 launch webcast begins today, May 19, at 1800 Eastern on NASA TV

 

https://www.nasa.gov/nasalive

 

 

[DocM]

2 of Starliners OMAC  thrusters failed on the ride uphill, but it did recover enough to get into orbit. NASA & Boeing are determining the next steps but it's pretty certain the thruster system redesign that they were thinking about is now more certain. This means a crew mission moves even further to the right.

 

Not sure if this is involved, but a piece fell off during launch. ULA CEO Tory Bruno saying "Ouch" is not encouraging.

 

 

[DocM]

Starliner has done the burns for a fly around of the ISS before docking
 

 

[DocM]

Starliner is docked at ISS, but I'll bet that thruster system gets a total redesign before any crew launches on it.

[DocM]

Let's run through the OFT-2 problem list (so far);

• 2 OMAC thruster failures, low chamber pressures.

• 2 RCS thruster failures during approach, low chamber pressures.

Almost makes you think they have a pressurization system problem. Makes the need for a complete redesign of the thruster system even more necessary.

• dodgy cooling loops, thought to be moisture that froze in a filter.

If these are ammonia cooling loops like ISS what's water doing in there? Yet another moisture control problem.

• dodgy docking ring, which needed to be retracted and re-extended before approach & docking.

Most of these problems occurred in the expendable service module, so they can't tear into it to find out what happened. 

 

I don't see this flying people anytime soon.

[bguy_1986]

Did they ever find out what was falling from sky right after launch?

 

Was it actually a camera?

 

Edited May 23, 2022 by bguy_1986

[DocM]

Haven't heard anything.