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Link Posted: 7/16/2024 10:06:07 AM EST
[#1]
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Quoted:
"Nasa has now said the astronauts may have to stay put until the next scheduled crew switchover in August – potentially on another ship."

Source
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Quoted:
"Nasa has now said the astronauts may have to stay put until the next scheduled crew switchover in August – potentially on another ship."

Source



Another hit piece from a retard. Mr. Nottingham should stick to spotted dick recipes.


next scheduled crew switchover in August


That flight is TBD now, not even NET.

Link Posted: 7/19/2024 12:34:32 PM EST
[#2]
NASA, Boeing Complete Starliner Engine Testing – What’s Next for the Troubled Spacecraft?

"NASA and Boeing engineers are evaluating results from last week’s engine tests at NASA’s White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico as the team works through plans to return the agency’s Boeing Crew Flight Test from the International Space Station in the coming weeks.

Teams completed ground hot fire testing at White Sands and are working to evaluate the test data and inspect the test engine. The ongoing ground analysis is expected to continue throughout the week. Working with a reaction control system thruster built for a future Starliner spacecraft, ground teams fired the engine through similar inflight conditions the spacecraft experienced on the way to the space station. The ground tests also included stress-case firings, and replicated conditions Starliner’s thrusters will experience from undocking to deorbit burn, where the thrusters will fire to slow Starliner’s speed to bring it out of orbit for landing in the southwestern United States.

Integrated ground teams also are preparing for an in-depth Agency Flight Test Readiness Review, which will evaluate data related to the spacecraft’s propulsion system performance before its return to Earth. The date of the agency review has not yet been solidified.

NASA and Boeing leadership plan to discuss the testing and analysis work in detail during a media briefing next week. More information on the briefing will be made available soon."
Link Posted: 7/20/2024 11:53:03 AM EST
[#3]
I have cleaned up tree #3.  This is the second of three trees cut down to eliminate a risk to people and vehicles from possible future limbs falling from dead trees.  I cut down tree #1 and tree #3.  Tree #2 was cut down by a neighbor who has a larger chainsaw.

Three #3 was about 45 feet tall and the trunk diameter at the cut was 13.75 inches.  The upper 75% of the lower half had leafed branches and originally I was going to leave it standing.  Then when I saw that the upper 50% was dead, I decided that it was a risk so it had to go.  It was the least amount of work cleaning up due to much smaller branches and thinner truck.  It was actually a "volunteer" from the root of a primary tree.

Starliner still can beat me by returning to Earth before I get tree #2 cleaned up.  Tree #2 had a large amount of shattered limbs when it hit the ground.  The trunk is much larger (27" diameter at the cut) and the blocked segments will have to be rolled to a suitable staging/drying area until they can be split.

Today I took trailer #2 of branches and some shrub cuttings to the slash facility where they are mulched.  I have had 28 yards of mulch delivered this year from that facility.
Link Posted: 7/20/2024 5:50:19 PM EST
[#4]
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Quoted:

NASA, Boeing Complete Starliner Engine Testing – What’s Next for the Troubled Spacecraft?

"NASA and Boeing engineers are evaluating results from last week’s engine tests at NASA’s White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico as the team works through plans to return the agency’s Boeing Crew Flight Test from the International Space Station in the coming weeks.

Teams completed ground hot fire testing at White Sands and are working to evaluate the test data and inspect the test engine. The ongoing ground analysis is expected to continue throughout the week. Working with a reaction control system thruster built for a future Starliner spacecraft, ground teams fired the engine through similar inflight conditions the spacecraft experienced on the way to the space station. The ground tests also included stress-case firings, and replicated conditions Starliner’s thrusters will experience from undocking to deorbit burn, where the thrusters will fire to slow Starliner’s speed to bring it out of orbit for landing in the southwestern United States.

Integrated ground teams also are preparing for an in-depth Agency Flight Test Readiness Review, which will evaluate data related to the spacecraft’s propulsion system performance before its return to Earth. The date of the agency review has not yet been solidified.

NASA and Boeing leadership plan to discuss the testing and analysis work in detail during a media briefing next week. More information on the briefing will be made available soon."
View Quote

A couple of weeks to "evaluate the data"?  Sounds like it didn't go well....
Link Posted: 7/21/2024 10:59:14 AM EST
[#5]
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Quoted:

A couple of weeks to "evaluate the data"?  Sounds like it didn't go well....
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Crew-9 was to launch in mid-August.  That may be delayed partially because of the Starlink 9-3 second stage failure.  Needing more time to "evaluate" data could also play a part.  

Apparently the docking port occupied by Starliner is needed to accommodate the Crew-9 Dragon.  If true, then Starliner would have to depart TBD time before the Crew Dragon arrives.   Then you also need to account for weather delays so the planned departure date might be a week before Crew-9 launches.   I would not use Starliner period but if NASA wants to risk their lives and Butch does not have the balls to say it is not space worthy, then wait until Starliner enters Earth atmosphere or is unable to do anything before you launch Crew-9.  If there is a chance that Starliner can depart then encounter a serious issue that precludes entry but can get back to the ISS...keep the docking port available.
Link Posted: 7/22/2024 7:28:34 AM EST
[#6]
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Quoted:

A couple of weeks to "evaluate the data"?  Sounds like it didn't go well....
View Quote
Phil's on vacation.  NASA has a "use it or lose it" vacation policy.  Put it in his inbox on his desk and he'll get to it when he gets back.
Link Posted: 7/24/2024 8:13:58 AM EST
[#7]
NASA, Boeing to Discuss Crew Flight Test Mission, Ground Testing

Leadership from NASA and Boeing will participate in a media teleconference at 11:30 a.m. EDT Thursday, July 25, to provide the latest status of the agency’s Boeing Crew Flight Test mission aboard the International Space Station.

Audio of the media teleconference will stream live on the agency’s website:

https://www.nasa.gov/nasatv

Participants include:

   Steve Stich, manager, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program
   Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager, Commercial Crew Program, Boeing
Link Posted: 7/25/2024 6:56:32 AM EST
[#8]
Has the FAA posted any public comments about revoking flight clearance and investigating mishaps with Starliner in the same fashion as they have with SpaceX stage 2 failure and such?
Link Posted: 7/25/2024 6:59:44 AM EST
[#9]
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Quoted:
Has the FAA posted any public comments about revoking flight clearance and investigating mishaps with Starliner in the same fashion as they have with SpaceX stage 2 failure and such?
View Quote
The failures of Starliner came post-launch.
Link Posted: 7/25/2024 9:38:59 AM EST
[#10]
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Quoted:
Has the FAA posted any public comments about revoking flight clearance and investigating mishaps with Starliner in the same fashion as they have with SpaceX stage 2 failure and such?
View Quote


The two are very different in comparison. As mentioned already the Falcon 2nd stage was during ascent and I'll add with the launch vehicle. I'm not too familiar with the FAA involvement with this outside of protecting public safety since this was relight in space but maybe they are seeing it as launch vehicle is the launch vehicle, idk.

Elon called it a rud. The press release called it a failure to relight. May have been a contained engine failure and it could have been uncontained, it could have blown the ass end off. They know and most likely have it on video. We know this because there's plenty of vid of starlink payload releases out there. Hopefully they'll share it some day.

NASA has criticality definitions. This can be debated probably (with what we know so far) as to what crit failure this is being tagged with.
Crit1 being loss of vehicle/loss of life with no redundant systems, Crit1R being loss of vehicle/loss of life with failure of redundant systems.
Crit2 being loss of mission, Crit2R being loss of mission with failure of redundant systems.

So with what we know, Falcon 2nd stage has one engine, so no redundant systems there and it didn't come back as the flight is planned (deorbit tumble)... so possibly considered loss of vehicle? The starlinks didn't end up where they were supposed to be and couldn't be saved so that is definitely a loss of mission.

This Starliner flight hasn't had any events in those categories. Redundancy is saving the mission for them so far.
Link Posted: 7/25/2024 1:30:32 PM EST
[#11]
Boeing’s crewed Starliner flight won’t return until at least August, NASA says

"Boeing’s crew spacecraft Starliner will stay docked with the International Space Station into August,

NASA’s Commercial Crew manager Steve Stich said during a press conference Thursday that the agency was not prepared to set a return date.

“We’re making great progress, but we’re just not quite ready to do that,” Stich said.

NASA needs to conduct a review that won’t happen until the first week of August, Stich said, and only after that review will the agency schedule Starliner’s return.

Boeing on Thursday is finishing dissection of the thruster that was tested in New Mexico. On Thursday afternoon, NASA and Boeing will hold a mission management meeting to plan the docked test firings that are expected to happen on Saturday or Sunday. Then, on Monday or Tuesday, the teams will do “an integrated assessment of all the data” from the docked tests, Stich said, before “some significant education of [NASA] leadership” ahead the final big review, also known as “Agency Flight Test Readiness Review.”

Stich also acknowledged again that NASA has contingency plans in case the agency determines that Starliner should return without Wilmore and Williams — alternatives that include using SpaceX’s Dragon capsule to bring back NASA’s astronauts.

“NASA always has contingency options. We know a little bit of what those are, and we haven’t worked on them a whole bunch, but we kind of know what those are,” Stich said. “Right now we’re really focused on bringing Butch and Suni home on Starliner.” "
Link Posted: 7/25/2024 2:56:59 PM EST
[#12]
I loathe the govt agencies and companies that have led to this.

That said, I am glad they are taking precautions for once; seemingly exactly the opposite of how they launched Challenger. *With Columbia, I'm pretty sure they knew there was nothing to be done.
Link Posted: 7/25/2024 3:03:44 PM EST
[#13]
Ugh…..


Just send the dragon ASAP and get the astronauts back home already

They will get a sweet overtime check I bet!!!

They can finger fuck the demo model when they get the guys back home.  

All resources should be dedicated to the easiest solution by using space x.

I wouldn’t be foing if it’s on a Boeing.
Link Posted: 7/25/2024 5:15:19 PM EST
[#14]
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Quoted:
I loathe the govt agencies and companies that have led to this.

That said, I am glad they are taking precautions for once; seemingly exactly the opposite of how they launched Challenger. *With Columbia, I'm pretty sure they knew there was nothing to be done.
View Quote


I do not know the inclination for the Columbia re-entry breakup but it seems more prudent have it re-enter on an ascending part of the orbit if that puts re-entry largely over water.... if they knew it might disintegrate.
Link Posted: 7/25/2024 5:25:17 PM EST
[#15]
I was looking at the Columbia re-entry breakup Wikipedia site and saw this:

"On January 23, flight director Steve Stich sent an e-mail to Husband and McCool to tell them about the foam strike and inform them there was no cause for concern about damage to the TPS, as foam strikes had occurred on previous flights.[5]:?159?

Is it the same person heading up the Starliner resolution?
Link Posted: 7/25/2024 5:49:03 PM EST
[#16]
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Quoted:
Boeing’s crewed Starliner flight won’t return until at least August, NASA says

"Boeing’s crew spacecraft Starliner will stay docked with the International Space Station into August,
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Quoted:
Boeing’s crewed Starliner flight won’t return until at least August, NASA says

"Boeing’s crew spacecraft Starliner will stay docked with the International Space Station into August,


This was planned all the time, they were always going to spend AT LEAST nine days in orbit, so why not make a long trip out of it?!

The indefinite extension of Starliner’s flight test is difficult to put into context of other human spaceflights due to the unique circumstances and developmental nature of the mission. Any crewed spaceflight comes with heightened risk and scrutiny. Originally, Calypso was expected to spend a minimum of nine days in space before returning.

“I think we all knew that it was going to go longer than that. We didn’t spend a lot of time talking about how much longer, but I think it’s my regret that we we didn’t just say we’re going to stay up there until we get everything done that we want to go to do,” Boeing’s Mark Nappi, vice president of the Starliner program, said on Thursday.


Just because we said "nine days" doesn't mean it couldn't also be 55 days!
Link Posted: 7/25/2024 6:36:17 PM EST
[#17]
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Quoted:

This was planned all the time, they were always going to spend AT LEAST nine days in orbit, so why not make a long trip out of it?!

Just because we said "nine days" doesn't mean it couldn't also be 55 days!
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Is this the first time that we have seen this "minimum of nine days" phrasing or is it BS from Boeing and/or NASA?
Link Posted: 7/25/2024 6:37:38 PM EST
[#18]
Boeing's Starliner space capsule faces make-or-break tests before crew can come home

"Critical tests are on tap this weekend to confirm Boeing's Starliner capsule can safety carry its two-person crew back to Earth despite problems that emerged early in the mission, officials said Thursday.

Two technical hurdles remain: tests this weekend to "hot fire" 27 maneuvering thrusters in the Starliner's service module to make sure they will work as expected between undocking and re-entry; and parallel testing to confirm five known helium leaks in the propulsion pressurization system have not worsened.

Pressurized helium is used to force propellants to the thrusters for ignition. The thrusters, in turn, are needed to re-orient the Starliner as required after undocking and to keep it steady when larger rockets fire to drop the ship out of orbit for re-entry and landing.

"We're going to fire all those thrusters through a number of pulses, just to make sure before we undock, that the whole system performs the way we expected and the way it did last time we checked it," Stich said. "We'll also get a chance to look at the helium system.

"It's been six weeks since we last checked that helium system, that was on June 15. So we'll pressurize manifold by manifold, and then hot fire the thrusters, and then we'll get a chance to look at the helium leak rates and verify that the system is stable."

All in all, "it's a very important set of tests over the weekend that we'll do," he said."
Link Posted: 7/25/2024 7:42:56 PM EST
[#19]
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Quoted:
Boeing's Starliner space capsule faces make-or-break tests before crew can come home


"It's been six weeks since we last checked that helium system, that was on June 15. So we'll pressurize manifold by manifold, and then hot fire the thrusters, and then we'll get a chance to look at the helium leak rates and verify that the system is stable."

All in all, "it's a very important set of tests over the weekend that we'll do," he said."
View Quote


What have they done to expect the system to be more stable than when they turned it off?  

My money says the test this weekend leads to more "we're analyzing the data"....
Link Posted: 7/25/2024 8:07:27 PM EST
[#20]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Boeing's Starliner space capsule faces make-or-break tests before crew can come home

"Critical tests are on tap this weekend to confirm Boeing's Starliner capsule can safety carry its two-person crew back to Earth despite problems that emerged early in the mission, officials said Thursday.

Two technical hurdles remain: tests this weekend to "hot fire" 27 maneuvering thrusters in the Starliner's service module to make sure they will work as expected between undocking and re-entry; and parallel testing to confirm five known helium leaks in the propulsion pressurization system have not worsened.

Pressurized helium is used to force propellants to the thrusters for ignition. The thrusters, in turn, are needed to re-orient the Starliner as required after undocking and to keep it steady when larger rockets fire to drop the ship out of orbit for re-entry and landing.

"We're going to fire all those thrusters through a number of pulses, just to make sure before we undock, that the whole system performs the way we expected and the way it did last time we checked it," Stich said. "We'll also get a chance to look at the helium system.

"It's been six weeks since we last checked that helium system, that was on June 15. So we'll pressurize manifold by manifold, and then hot fire the thrusters, and then we'll get a chance to look at the helium leak rates and verify that the system is stable."

All in all, "it's a very important set of tests over the weekend that we'll do," he said."
View Quote

Except the thrusters are fine for pulses, it's long duration firings that have problems with. And they can't do those while docked.
Link Posted: 7/25/2024 11:34:25 PM EST
[#21]
Well, I'm sure Butch and Suni are thrilled their week or so test flight in June has turned into what it has.  Summer vacations were cancelled no doubt.... Will Boeing/NASA pay the cancellation fees?


Link Posted: 7/25/2024 11:36:48 PM EST
[#22]
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Quoted:


What have they done to expect the system to be more stable than when they turned it off?  

Hope and a prayer?

My money says the test this weekend leads to more "we're analyzing the data"....

They will follow the data.
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Link Posted: 7/25/2024 11:48:21 PM EST
[#23]
I wonder where the two are sleeping, they don’t have the sweet cubbies that the ISS crew have. 9days stuck in the Boeing POS would have been tolerable, but they have been there a while. Kinda like getting stuck on your friend’s couch, for a month.

ISS crew is probably ready for them to fuck off back to Earth.
Link Posted: 7/25/2024 11:53:15 PM EST
[#24]
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Quoted:
I wonder where the two are sleeping, they don't have the sweet cubbies that the ISS crew have. 9days stuck in the Boeing POS would have been tolerable, but they have been there a while. Kinda like getting stuck on your friend's couch, for a month.

ISS crew is probably ready for them to fuck off back to Earth.
View Quote

2 months by the end of the week
Link Posted: 7/26/2024 12:17:28 AM EST
[#25]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
I was looking at the Columbia re-entry breakup Wikipedia site and saw this:

"On January 23, flight director Steve Stich sent an e-mail to Husband and McCool to tell them about the foam strike and inform them there was no cause for concern about damage to the TPS, as foam strikes had occurred on previous flights.[5]: 159

Is it the same person heading up the Starliner resolution?
View Quote
I this surprises who? Fail upward is the motto!
Link Posted: 7/26/2024 7:43:56 AM EST
[#26]
Link Posted: 7/26/2024 7:49:36 AM EST
[#27]
Until it’s time to ride that POS home. Then they’ll be shitting bricks.
Link Posted: 7/26/2024 8:02:48 AM EST
[#28]
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Quoted:


I heard one of the guys as NasaSpaceFlight talking about this, and they noted that non-sarcastically, both Butch and Sunny probably ARE genuinely thrilled that they got "stuck" up there.

His reasoning was that given their ages, and their historyin the astronaut program, the Starliner test mission was very likely going to be the last time either of them went into space, making way for newer people.  So as a result of Boeing's incompetence, they are getting to enjoy a much longer time in space - which presumably is what EVERY astronaut craves - than they normally would have.

So all the problems may have a sliver lining for the two of them, even if not for anyone else.
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I've been quietly waiting for Suni to suit up and knock out the EVAs that those station nerds just can't seem to get done. She's spent alot of time outside and if it was my last trip I'd get all I could out of it.
Link Posted: 7/26/2024 9:14:54 AM EST
[#29]
Link Posted: 7/27/2024 3:50:08 PM EST
[#30]

The #Starliner crew and ground teams completed a test of the spacecraft’s reaction control system thrusters today.

The jets were fired for short bursts, one at a time, to provide data for analysis of the systems.

Teams will evaluate the results of the test firings over the next few days as they work through overall studies ahead of an agency readiness review.
Link Posted: 7/27/2024 5:38:59 PM EST
[#31]


https://starlinerupdates.com/starliner-docked-hot-fire-testing-complete/

Starliner Docked Hot Fire Testing Complete

July 27, 2024

Spacecraft thrusters tested and helium system checked in second successful docked hot fire test.

The Starliner team completed a docked hot fire test of the spacecraft’s Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters Saturday afternoon, and monitored its helium system, providing additional data points for the Crew Flight Test’s return to Earth.

With Starliner flight director Chloe Mehring at the helm and Boeing engineers on console monitoring the spacecraft’s systems, flight controllers commanded the sequential firing of 27 RCS thrusters.

“The integrated teams between Starliner and ISS worked extremely well together this week to finalize and safely execute the docked hotfire sequence,” said Mehring, who will lead the Starliner flight control team in the upcoming undocking from the International Space Station.

“Both teams were very happy with the results.”

The one-pulse firings were designed to confirm the performance of each thruster. Aft-facing thrusters were fired for 1.2 seconds and all others for .40 seconds. Between each firing, the team reviewed real-time data and all thrusters performed at peak thrust rating values, ranging from 97-102%. The helium system also remained stable. Additionally, an RCS oxidizer isolation valve that was not fully seated previously, was cycled several times during today’s testing and is now operating normally.

This is the second time the spacecraft has been hot fired successfully while docked, an integrated operation the station and Starliner teams will also conduct during future long-duration missions.

Flight test astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were inside Starliner Calypso giving the team on the ground real-time feedback during the test. In preparation for the return home, Wilmore and Williams will participate in two undock to landing simulations next week.

A Flight Test Readiness Review is tentatively planned for late next week, and the data gathered today will be reviewed and included in return flight rationale. While a landing date has not yet been set, opportunities are available throughout August.
Link Posted: 7/29/2024 10:36:55 PM EST
[#32]
Starliner Passes In-Orbit Tests, But First Operational Launch Slips

"Boeing and NASA put the Starliner spacecraft through its paces this weekend, successfully testing the thrusters and confirming the helium leaks are stable. But in a nod to the amount of work that lies ahead before NASA certifies Starliner for operational launches, the agency said a SpaceX Crew Dragon will be used for the February 2025 space station crew exchange, not Starliner-1.

The first operational Starliner launch is Starliner-1. NASA hoped to launch it in February 2025, but NASA Commercial Crew Program Manager Steve Stich said at a Friday news conference they will use a Crew Dragon instead.

That will be Crew-10, SpaceX’s 10th operational NASA mission to ISS and 11th overall (SpaceX’s crew flight test Demo-2 was the first in 2020). SpaceX also launches Crew Dragons for non-NASA customers. Four “private astronaut” flights have flown so far, three of which visited ISS. Two more are coming up before the end of the year.

Starliner-1 will wait at least until August 2025, the subsequent crew rotation, but it could be longer. Stich said they are double-booking another Crew Dragon, Crew-11, in that slot just in case Starliner-1 slips into 2026."

Link Posted: 7/29/2024 10:49:13 PM EST
[#33]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:

...the helium leaks are stable....

View Quote

Is that a GOOD thing?
Link Posted: 7/29/2024 11:15:48 PM EST
[#34]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


Flip it around - it's not that I'm looking for a reason not to trust what's going on. It's that the major stakeholders have every reason to want less bad press, and not more. Boeing is absolutely desperate right now not to have another negative story about a product of theirs pop up on the newsfeed every other day until infinity. NASA has motivation to get the mission over so the press stops asking questions over their procurement and safety protocols. From the viewpoint of absolutely everything besides crew safety, the ship needed to be on the ground weeks ago.

But it's not. Which tells us something about the decisions we aren't privy to and the information we don't have.

So knowing that NASA and Boeing are both motivated in parallel directions, and that both are being negatively harmed by every additional day in space, the question a neutral observer would have to ask from the outside is whether or not there's internal risk-related modeling that's causing management to fret and keep kicking the can to the right, or something else going on.
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:


So why drag the mission out so long? With what's publicly being admitted to, what risk are they mitigating by waiting?


I can't speak for them and I only know what they have released during these telecons.

My own opinion with the information provided is there is no more risk waiting for an opportune time vs coming back now.

There was EVA schedule conflicts which went tit's up and now they got a crew out trying to mimic and learn what's going on in the test chambers.

I get it, it can look like stalling if you're looking for a reason to not trust what's going on. But the guy that had the ship in manual control during free flight was holding position just fine while the console guys were hot firing thrusters on the ship remotely before they even docked. They had since performed more hotfire tests while docked and the 4 RCS thrusters performance improved. Butch has confidence in the vehicle... said so today...




Flip it around - it's not that I'm looking for a reason not to trust what's going on. It's that the major stakeholders have every reason to want less bad press, and not more. Boeing is absolutely desperate right now not to have another negative story about a product of theirs pop up on the newsfeed every other day until infinity. NASA has motivation to get the mission over so the press stops asking questions over their procurement and safety protocols. From the viewpoint of absolutely everything besides crew safety, the ship needed to be on the ground weeks ago.

But it's not. Which tells us something about the decisions we aren't privy to and the information we don't have.

So knowing that NASA and Boeing are both motivated in parallel directions, and that both are being negatively harmed by every additional day in space, the question a neutral observer would have to ask from the outside is whether or not there's internal risk-related modeling that's causing management to fret and keep kicking the can to the right, or something else going on.


I'm still sticking to my point - there's more than just an "abundance of caution" in play.

Perhaps it's Stitch not wanting another repeat of Columbia on his watch. Or they fear more than they're letting on.
Link Posted: 7/30/2024 7:38:52 AM EST
[#35]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


I'm still sticking to my point - there's more than just an "abundance of caution" in play.

Perhaps it's Stitch not wanting another repeat of Columbia on his watch. Or they fear more than they're letting on.
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The fact that SpaceX Crew-10 now has the Feb 2025 crew launch instead of Starliner-1, and the now August 2025 Starliner-1 mission is double booked with Crew-11 shows Nasa's confidence in Starliner.
Link Posted: 7/30/2024 7:47:37 AM EST
[#36]
And if they refuse to ride it home?  What next.


I would refuse and be public about it. By quietly refusing the ride home it sweeps it under the rug.
Remember

Attachment Attached File
Link Posted: 7/30/2024 10:00:31 AM EST
[#37]
Crew-9 on the SpaceX Crew Dragon is tentatively set to launch on 18 August 2024.  Reportedly there are only two docking ports on the US portion of the ISS so that seems to suggests a not later than date for Starliner to leave.

Of course, Crew-9 can slip to the right.
Link Posted: 7/30/2024 10:17:18 AM EST
[#38]
Link Posted: 7/30/2024 9:44:39 PM EST
[#39]
Everybody knows that if you have an active leak if you just wait long enough it fixes itself and stops leaking

that must be what they are doing
Link Posted: 7/31/2024 11:01:15 AM EST
[#40]
Source

"Utah’s Dugway Proving Ground was considered a primary return landing site at the beginning of Starliner’s mission, but it’s not clear whether the west desert location will still be at the top of the list for the capsule’s return. Other possible landing sites include two targets in the vast White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, and Willcox, Arizona, according to NASA. Edwards Air Force Base in California is available as a contingency landing site."

I thought one of the early (for this failed mission) landing spots was to go to White Sands.

I wonder if they will pick the landing location and re-entry direction such that it minimizes the risk to people on the ground if the capsule disintegrates during re-entry like Columbia did.
Link Posted: 7/31/2024 2:46:57 PM EST
[#41]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Everybody knows that if you have an active leak if you just wait long enough it fixes itself and stops leaking

that must be what they are doing
View Quote

Link Posted: 7/31/2024 2:53:06 PM EST
[#42]
Doesn’t this thing use thrusters as retro rockets right before touchdown?

It does land on the dirt, not water.

Link Posted: 7/31/2024 3:06:42 PM EST
[#43]
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Is that a GOOD thing?
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...the helium leaks are stable....


Is that a GOOD thing?


As long as it is leaking you know it isn't empty.  

I think they mean increasing leaks infer some sort of erosion occurring.  That is unpredictable.
Link Posted: 7/31/2024 3:27:40 PM EST
[#44]
I can only imagine how many tarps are going to be sold at the nearest Home Depot in order for the media to be allowed at Dugway or WSMR to film the landing.

No one is going to get anything done that week.

Kharn
Link Posted: 7/31/2024 3:31:19 PM EST
[#45]
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Doesn’t this thing use thrusters as retro rockets right before touchdown?

It does land on the dirt, not water.

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I have no idea.  The Blue Origin flying penis capsule has a short engine/rocket/thruster firing just before touchdown.
Link Posted: 7/31/2024 3:37:14 PM EST
[#46]
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Is it the same person heading up the Starliner resolution?
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They are playing a giant game of CYA. It remains to be seen who won't have a seat when the music stops.
Link Posted: 7/31/2024 3:39:36 PM EST
[#47]
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I have no idea.  The Blue Origin flying penis capsule has a short engine/rocket/thruster firing just before touchdown.
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Heat shield makes that harder on Stayliner. Penis capsule does not have or need a heat shield.
Link Posted: 7/31/2024 3:42:40 PM EST
[#48]
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Heat shield makes that harder on Stayliner. Penis capsule does not have or need a heat shield.
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Good point.
Link Posted: 7/31/2024 3:50:28 PM EST
[#49]
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Source

"Utah’s Dugway Proving Ground was considered a primary return landing site at the beginning of Starliner’s mission, but it’s not clear whether the west desert location will still be at the top of the list for the capsule’s return. Other possible landing sites include two targets in the vast White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, and Willcox, Arizona, according to NASA. Edwards Air Force Base in California is available as a contingency landing site."

I thought one of the early (for this failed mission) landing spots was to go to White Sands.

I wonder if they will pick the landing location and re-entry direction such that it minimizes the risk to people on the ground if the capsule disintegrates during re-entry like Columbia did.
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You may not be far off, Wilcox is a really, really odd choice but would make sense if they wanted a dry lake bed an minimal population nearby.
Link Posted: 7/31/2024 3:58:59 PM EST
[#50]
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Good point.
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Heat shield makes that harder on Stayliner. Penis capsule does not have or need a heat shield.



Good point.

Starliner ditches it's heat shield but it uses airbags vs a motor to slow down at the end.

https://www.space.com/boeing-starliner-spacecraft-landing-explained.html
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