Boeing ’s CST-100 Starliner space capsule is finally on its way to the International Space Station , despite a not - so - seamless start to its journey . The space vehicle go through a malfunction when two thruster failed to fire .
Starliner , despite the glitch , is still on cut to reach the ISS ; a backup pusher provide the spacecraft to execute its intended orbital introduction suntan . The rationality for the flush it propulsion is not yet known .
The Starliner CST-100 spacecraft launch on Thursday at 6:54 p.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida . The uncrewed run flight is part of a$4.3 billioncontract with NASA’sCommercial Crew Programto develop platforms for enchant astronauts to and from the ISS . The route to the orbiting space place has been rocky for Boeing , while its commercial-grade gang counterpart , SpaceX , has been carrying astronauts to the ISS for the past two yr now .
Boeing’s Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) took off from Cape Canaveral, Florida.Photo: ULA
The pressing is on for Boeing to pull off the latest mental test flight and really make it to the ISS . “ Through adversity , our teams have continued to innovate for the welfare of our Carry Amelia Moore Nation and all of humanity , ” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in astatement . “ I take care onwards to a successful final stage - to - end trial of the Starliner spacecraft , which will help enable delegacy with cosmonaut aboard . ”
The Starliner ejection seat launch atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket . close to 30 minutes after liftoff , one of 12 thrusters responsible for for orbital maneuvering malfunctioned after just one second of firing . Its backup thruster then quetch in , go off for about 25 seconds before it malfunctioned as well , Steve Sitch , handler of NASA ’s Commercial Crew Program , saidat a post - launch jam conference on Thursday . The spacecraft experience a second minor issue when equipment responsible for chill the spacecraft took longer than expected to get started . Despite these glitches , the team behind the deputation said the abridgment stay on on track to rendezvous with the ISS at 7:10 p.m. EDT today ( watch the tying up livehere ) .
During the first Orbital Flight Test ( OFT-1 ) on December 20 , 2019 , the spacecraft made it to space but asoftware mechanisation glitchcaused it to burn excess fuel and not make it all the fashion to the ISS . Then , during the subsequent OFT-2 run on August 3 , 2021 , Starliner never even made it off the launch stamp pad on account ofseveral valve not opening during the countdown .
The late issues with propulsion organisation , though described as small , may come to represent a serious problem for Boeing . Hopefully that ’s the last of the glitches and it ’s smooth sailing from here , but we ’re not holding our breath .
Atlas VBoeingBoeing StarlinerOuter spaceSpacecraftSpaceflightSPACEX
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