Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft carried out a parachute-assisted touchdown on the U.S. Military’s White Sands Missile Vary in New Mexico on Wednesday, Could 25.
The touchdown marked the tip of a profitable uncrewed mission to the Worldwide House Station (ISS) and got here almost 18 months after its first check flight resulted in failure.
Celebrating the secure homecoming of its spacecraft after 5 days in orbit, Boeing shared a brief video (beneath) capturing the important thing moments from the OFT-2 mission.
On Could 19, #Starliner's launch started #OFT2. After 5 days docked to @Space_Station, Starliner landed safely on Could 25. This check gave Expedition 67, @NASA and our groups very important information and cargo for future industrial area exploration. See the mission from launch to touchdown. pic.twitter.com/gKvJU6K0lg
— Boeing House (@BoeingSpace) May 26, 2022
The 240-second video contains highlights such because the Starliner’s launch from Cape Canaveral in Florida aboard a ULA Atlas V rocket, the spacecraft’s ISS docking and departure, and its journey dwelling. We additionally get a glimpse of Rosie, the sensor-laden model that flew aboard the Starliner to assist engineers study extra in regards to the situations contained in the capsule throughout spaceflight, on the 72-second mark.
“Now we have had a wonderful flight check of a posh system that we anticipated to study from alongside the way in which and we now have,” said Mark Nappi, vp and program supervisor of the Boeing Industrial Crew Program. “Thanks to the NASA and Boeing teammates who’ve put a lot of themselves into Starliner.”
The mission was designed to display the standard and efficiency of Boeing’s transportation system and will pave the way in which for Starliner’s first crewed check flight towards the tip of this yr.
As soon as totally licensed, NASA will be capable of use the Starliner alongside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule for astronaut flights to and from the ISS.
Boeing’s first try and ship the Starliner to the ISS resulted in failure in 2019 when the spacecraft was unable to hit the proper orbit. The failed mission was put right down to a slew of software program points that Boeing and NASA labored on to place proper. However a second launch try was referred to as off in August 2021 after a number of technical points surfaced shortly earlier than launch.
The Starliner’s earlier issues meant OFT-2 was a high-stakes mission, so it’s secure to say that Boeing and NASA shall be mightily relieved that, this time round, every little thing — or simply about every little thing — appeared to go in response to plan.
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