On June 27, 2024, NASA confirmed that it had instructed crew members stationed on the ISS to 鈥渟helter in their respective spacecraft鈥� after debris from the Russian satellite, RESURS-P1, circulated at an altitude near the station.聽聽

According to the space agency the order was given around 21:00 Eastern Daylight Time, while mission control was monitoring the debris path. 

Of the nine astronauts on board the ISS, two took sanctuary in the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft and three inside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule, while the remainder took cover in the Russian Soyuz capsule.聽

鈥淎fter about an hour the crew was cleared to exit their spacecraft and the station resumed normal operations,鈥� NASA said in a post on X (formally known as Twitter). 

US Space Command also monitored the break-up of the Russian-owned decommissioned satellite.聽

statement on the break-up of RESURS-P1 (#39186):

— U.S. Space Command (@US_SpaceCom)

In a statement, Space Command said that it observed 鈥渘o immediate threats鈥� but was nevertheless continuing to conduct assessments to 鈥渟upport the safety and sustainability of the space domain鈥�. 

鈥淯SSPACECOM has notified commercial, governmental, Allied and Partner organizations via Space-Track.org, to include Russia as the satellite owner,鈥� Space Command said in a statement.  

The cause of the incident is currently under investigation, but there have been widespread concerns in recent years regarding satellite and debris congestion in low Earth orbit.聽聽聽

SpaceX wins NASA contract to build deorbit vehicle for space station destruction

• Space

byIan Molyneaux

2024-06-27

It had been expected the Boeing CST-100 Starliner would return at the earliest from June 14, 2024, but will now be delayed so a spacewalk can be carried out and engineers have more time to 鈥渃omplete system checkouts鈥�.聽

“@NASA and @BoeingSpace teams set a return date of no earlier than Tuesday, June 18, for the agency精东影业 Boeing Crew Flight Test. The additional time in orbit will allow the crew to perform a spacewalk on Thursday, June 13, while engineers complete #Starliner systems checkouts,” NASA said on June 9, 2024.  

NASA confirmed astronauts Tracy C. Dyson and Matt Dominick will exit the 鈥渟tation精东影业 Quest airlock to complete the removal of a faulty electronics box, called a radio frequency group, from a communications antenna on the starboard truss of the space station鈥�.   

In a mission update from Boeing, it said that the return of CST-100 Starliner from June 18, 2024, was dependent on 鈥減ending weather and spacecraft readiness鈥�.聽

. and teams set a return date of no earlier than Tuesday, June 18, for the agency精东影业 Boeing Crew Flight Test. The additional time in orbit will allow the crew to perform a spacewalk on Thursday, June 13, while engineers complete systems checkouts.

— International Space Station (@Space_Station)

Boeing teams are also assessing what impacts, if any, five small leaks in the service module helium manifolds would have on the remainder of the mission. 

NASA previously announced that around 12 hours into Starliner精东影业 mission to ISS on June 5, 2024, that three helium leaks had been detected on board.听听听听

The space agency said that one of the leaks had been discussed before launch and it was decided that the mission was safe to proceed with the crew free from danger.    

鈥淓ngineers evaluated the helium supply based on current leak rates and determined that Starliner has plenty of margin to support the return trip from station,鈥� Boeing explained on June 10, 2024.  

The company added: 鈥淥nly seven hours of free-flight time is needed to perform a normal end of mission, and Starliner currently has enough helium left in its tanks to support 70 hours of free flight activity following undocking.鈥� 

Engineers are also evaluating an RCS oxidizer isolation valve in the service module that is not properly closed. 

All other oxidizer and fuel valves within the service module were cycled normally, Boeing said.  

鈥淭he suspect oxidizer isolation valve was not cycled in the recent checkout. It will remain commanded closed for the remainder of the mission while ground teams continue to evaluate its data signatures,鈥� Boeing explained in a statement.聽

First-ever crewed Boeing Starliner launches, new helium leaks cause concerns聽

• Space

byIan Molyneaux

2024-06-06

The United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, on June 5, 2024, at 10:52 local time, with NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams strapped inside Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner.聽聽

After a series of frustrating delays in recent weeks, there was understandably huge relief among all those involved in the mammoth project but around 12 hours into the mission NASA confirmed that three helium leaks had been detected on board Starliner.聽聽

The space agency said that one of the leaks had been discussed before launch and it was decided that the mission was safe to proceed with the crew free from danger.聽聽

The crew continues to make their way to the and are in a sleep period. Teams have identified three helium leaks on the spacecraft. One of these was previously discussed before flight along with a management plan. The other two are new since the鈥�

— NASA's Johnson Space Center (@NASA_Johnson)

鈥淭he other two are new since the spacecraft arrived on orbit. Two of the affected helium valves have been closed and the spacecraft remains stable,鈥� NASA said in a statement on social media.  

According to CNN, a conversation between mission control and the astronauts regarding the new leaks was recorded on NASA精东影业 live broadcast. NASA can be heard instructing the two astronauts to shut down two valves.  

鈥淲e have some issues to watch overnight when in regards to the helium leaks that was just brought up, and we have a lot of smart people down here on the ground that are going to take a look at this stuff and keep an eye on it, but the vehicle is in a configuration right now where they鈥檙e safe to fly,鈥� Boeing Aerospace Engineer Brandon Burroughs said on the NASA broadcast.

We have liftoff!

History is made as Butch Wilmore & Suni Williams become the first people to fly aboard a spacecraft as part of 精东影业 Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission to the !

— NASA's Johnson Space Center (@NASA_Johnson)

The spacecraft made its first connection with the space station on May 20, 2022 at 19:28 Central Time.

鈥淲e have had an excellent flight test of a complex system that we expected to learn from along the way and we have,鈥� vice president and program manager for Boeing Commercial Crew Program Mark Nappi said in a statement.

鈥淭hank you to the NASA and Boeing teammates who have put so much of themselves into Starliner.鈥�

The test flight, which is part of 叠辞别颈苍驳精东影业 contract with NASA, marks an important step in certifying the Starliner capsule to eventually carry astronauts into space.

The successful test flight mission is 叠辞别颈苍驳精东影业 third attempt. In 2019, a maiden uncrewed flight failed to attain the proper orbit, while the next launch attempt in July 2021 had system errors, which caused further delays.

According to Boeing, the successful orbital test flight also demonstrated the following: 

• End-to-end performance of the Atlas V rocket and Starliner spacecraft through launch, ascent, on-orbit, re-entry and landing;

• Starliner精东影业 autonomous software and the on-orbit operation of its avionics system, docking system, communications/telemetry systems, environmental control systems, solar arrays, electrical power systems, and propulsion systems; 

• Ability to hold docking attitude, receive commands from the space station crew, and command holds and retreats during final station approach;

• Battery charging, hatch open and close, establishing joint ventilation with the station, file transfer and cargo transfer.

叠辞别颈苍驳精东影业 Starliner successfully docks to ISS on key flight test

• Space

byVictoria Bryan

2022-05-22

 

The spacecraft, which is designed to take astronauts to the ISS, launched on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at 18:54 Eastern time from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on May 19, 2022.  

On May 20, 2022 at 1928 Central Time (0028 UTC, May 21, 2022), the spacecraft made its first connection with the space station. Because there were no astronauts onboard, the CST-100 Starliner精东影业 autonomous systems and ground controllers in Houston guided the spacecraft through the maneuvers required to get closer to the ISS and dock. ISS astronauts also gave the spacecraft some commands to verify controls.  

鈥淭oday精东影业 successful docking of the Starliner is another important step in this rehearsal for sending astronauts into orbit safely and reliably,鈥� said Boeing Defense, Space & Security President and CEO Ted Colbert. 

It was the third attempt for Boeing to launch the Starliner and dock to the ISS. A maiden uncrewed flight in 2019 failed to attain the proper orbit, while the next launch attempt in July 2021 had to be postponed twice after system errors were found.  

On its way to the ISS, Starliner performed some system demonstrations to verify the health of the spacecraft. Now the spacecraft has docked to the orbiting laboratory, ISS astronauts will float inside the spacecraft, conduct an initial tour of the cabin, and perform system checks while ground controllers evaluate the data gathered. 

NASA said astronauts opened the hatch for the first time to 叠辞别颈苍驳精东影业 CST-100 Starliner spacecraft at 1204 EDT on May 21 (1604 UTC), on its uncrewed Orbital Flight Test-2. Inside, astronauts Bob Hines and Kjell Lindgren welcomed Rosie the Rocketeer, a dummy astronaut sitting in the commander精东影业 seat. Rosie is outfitted with sensors to collect data on what astronauts can expect when they take a flight on the Starliner. 

“Welcome to for the very first time ever, in space.” takes us on a tour inside the spacecraft that arrived on Friday, May 20, on a demonstration flight to the International :

鈥� NASA (@NASA)

For the flight test, Starliner is carrying about 500 pounds of NASA cargo and crew supplies and more than 300 pounds of Boeing cargo. Once it is certified, Starliner will carry up to four crew members to the station, which NASA said will enable the continued expansion of the crew and increase the amount of science and research that can be performed aboard the ISS. 

鈥淪tarliner has proven safe, autonomous rendezvous and docking capability,鈥� said Jim Chilton, senior vice president, Boeing Space and Launch. 鈥淲e鈥檙e honored to join the fleet of commercial spacecraft capable of conducting transportation services to the space station for NASA.鈥� 

Starliner is due to depart the space station on May 25, 2022, when it will undock and return to Earth, with a desert landing in the western United States.  

Boeing successfully launches Starliner spacecraft to the ISS on third attempt

• Space

byJean Carmela Lim

2022-05-20

The CST-100 Starliner has been positioned on top of the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket and Boeing Space said it rolled out to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral on May 18.  

The launch, part of NASA精东影业 commercial crew program, is scheduled for 18:54 EDT (22:54 UTC) on May 19. The flight test is a crucial step ahead of 叠辞别颈苍驳精东影业 first planned crew mission.  

and have rolled to the launch pad on ‘s Space Launch Complex-41. This is one of the final milestones before it launches May 19 to the on its journey.

鈥� Boeing Space (@BoeingSpace)

The Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) will include orbital maneuvering, International Space Station (ISS) rendezvous, docking, undocking and landing operations before a desert landing in the western United States. It will provide validation for all critical systems ahead of the first flight carrying astronauts to and from the ISS.  

The Starliner has been delayed several times due to technical issues. In 2019, the capsule, on its maiden uncrewed flight to the ISS, failed to attain its proper orbit, and was unable to reach the station. More recently, OFT-2 was supposed to take place in August 2021 but was canceled after finding an error in its propulsion system.  

Boeing delays Starliner launch after a new system error

• Space

byVyte Klisauskaite

2021-08-04

The capsule is designed to accommodate seven passengers, or a mix of crew and cargo, for missions to low-Earth orbit. The Starliner competes with the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. 

The charge is driven by the upcoming launch and 鈥渢he latest assessment of remaining work鈥�, the company revealed in its financial results on October 27, 2021.

鈥淭he safety of the Starliner spacecraft, our employees and our crew members remains our number one priority and we are taking the time to work through the process now to set this system up for success on OFT-2 and all future Starliner missions,鈥� Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun said in the statement. 

The original $4.2 billion contract, which Boeing signed with NASA in 2010, was fixed-price, meaning that the company must cover any additional expenses.

The initial plans called for Starliner to be operational by 2015. The spacecraft conducted its first uncrewed flight test in 2019, which was only partially successful. A software failure prevented the capsule from docking with the International Space Station (ISS) and, after spending two days in orbit, the Starliner landed. 

The second uncrewed test was planned for November 2020, but was delayed several times after significant technical issues were detected in its propulsion system. Following the delays, Boeing agreed to cover the first $410 million charge.

CST-100 Starliner is intended as a partially reusable spacecraft that could carry up to seven people to the ISS. Following the delays, its first crewed flight test is now expected to take place in late 2022. 

The Starliner, along with SpaceX Dragon, was selected for the Commercial Crew Program following the retirement of the Space Shuttle. The Dragon completed its first docking with the ISS in 2012, and has conducted crewed flights since 2020. 

Report claims NASA unnecessarily favored Boeing over SpaceX

• Space

byClement Charpentreau

2019-11-15

During the system checks before Starliner精东影业 launch on August 3, 2021, Boeing engineers found a new error with 鈥渘umber of potential causes, including software鈥� as well as 鈥渦nexpected valve position indication鈥� in the capsule精东影业 propulsion system. 

In order to fix the errors, the Boeing Starliner space capsule might need to be removed from the top of the launch rocket, people familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on August 12, 2021. Such repairs could delay 叠辞别颈苍驳精东影业 entry into space even further. 

Starliner was originally supposed to launch on July 30, 2021. However, the unmanned test mission launch was postponed to August 3, 2021, after the space station was temporarily thrown out of control two hours after a new Russian scientific module docked. 

Russian Nauka module accidentally deviates ISS from its orbit

• Space

byClement Charpentreau

2021-08-02

Had the unmanned mission launch been successful, Boeing would have conducted a crewed mission potentially later in 2021. However, with new system glitches, the timeline of the uncrewed, as well as the crewed, Starliner missions remains under question. 

It is not the first time 叠辞别颈苍驳精东影业 Starliner fails to reach the International Space Station. In 2019, the capsule, on its maiden uncrewed flight to the ISS, failed to attain its proper orbit. About 30 minutes after liftoff, the onboard clock malfunctioned, causing the spacecraft’s computer to fire its engines incorrectly.

Boeing’s Crew Space Transportation (CST)-100 Starliner spacecraft was developed in the framework of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The capsule was designed to accommodate seven passengers, or a mix of crew and cargo, for missions to low-Earth orbit. 

The Starliner is competing with the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. The first successful commercial mission of the Crew Dragon took place on November 16, 2020, flying four astronauts to the ISS for a six-month mission. The current crew was also transported by the Crew Dragon on April 23, 2021.