NASA and Boeing are finalizing plans for the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft's second uncrewed test flight.
The team revealed that the Starliner mission will launch on May 19.
Launch of Boeing's Cst-100 Starliner Capsule
Starliner, we are go for launch.
— Boeing Space (@BoeingSpace) May 11, 2022
In today's Flight Readiness Review, Boeing, @NASA and its international partners gave a "go" for Orbital Flight Test-2.
Thank you, NASA, for working side-by-side with us to prepare for #OFT2.
Learn more: https://t.co/AsIXVDWQHn pic.twitter.com/DeiOdXFND9
A spokesperson for the aerospace company and NASA officials said that Boeing's CST-100 Starliner capsule is on track for its critical May 19 test launch.
According to Digital Trends, the mission comes after a failed attempt to send the Starliner to the ISS in December 2019, when technical problems prevented the spacecraft from reaching its intended orbit. A second attempt, in August of last year, also failed due to technical issues that prevented the launch from taking place.
What's the Reason for the Delayed Launch?
Space.com explained that for troubleshooting, Boeing and NASA rolled Starliner and its United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket off the launch pad. Investigators discovered the likely reason for the valve problem: the nitrogen tetroxide (NTO) oxidizer reacted with moisture in the air, producing nitric acid. The nitric acid then reacted with the aluminum valve housing, resulting in corrosion products that made the valves inoperable.
During a conference call with the media on May 3, Boeing representatives and NASA officials said that the initial diagnosis was correct and that the problems had been addressed.
Steve Stich, NASA's Commercial Crew Program Manager, said, "It's been a hard eight months, I would say, but very fulfilling that we've resolved the problem with the oxidizer isolation valves and we're headed on toward launch."
What Happens After a Succesful Launch?
Digital Trends reported that NASA will have another vehicle to use for astronaut trips alongside SpaceX's successful Crew Dragon spacecraft if Boeing can show the safety and reliability of their Starliner capsule in the forthcoming test flight.
The mission is part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which involves the space agency collaborating with private companies to design and test human spaceflight technology.
How Many Days Will the Boeing Spacecraft Stay on the ISS?
Space.com reported that on March 12, Boeing also handed the OFT-2 Starliner a new service module, which was mated to the crew capsule.
If all goes according to plan on OFT-2, Starliner will dock with the ISS roughly a day after launch and stay for five to ten days.
OFT-2 will be Starliner's second attempt at an uncrewed test flight to the International Space Station. The first attempt, in December 2019, was cut short due to a series of technological issues that prevented Starliner from connecting with the station.
Boeing has a NASA contract to ferry NASA personnel to and from the International Space Station using Starliner. The capsule will not be able to carry a crew until it completes an uncrewed test flight to the orbiting lab; nevertheless, the company hopes to complete its crewed test mission before the end of the year.
