A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off on May 19, 2022, from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida for NASA Boeings uncrewed Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) for the firms Commercial Crew Program. The flight test is developed to evaluate the systems end-to-end capabilities for NASAs Commercial Crew Program supplying important information for NASA licensing Boeings crew transport system for regular crewed flights to and from the International Space Station.
Boeings CST-100 Starliner is in orbit, heading for the International Space Station (ISS) following the launch today (May 19, 2022) of the next-generation spacecraft on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket on a mission created to test the end-to-end capabilities of the crew-capable system as part of NASAs Commercial Crew Program.
Starliner raised off on NASAs Boeing Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) at 6:54 p.m. EDT (3:54 p.m. PDT) from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Following an orbital insertion burn 31 minutes later on, Starliner was on its way for a rendezvous and docking with the space station.
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket and Boeing CST-100 spacecraft for Orbital Flight Test-2 is ready for launch on the pad at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on May 19, 2022, at 6:54 p.m. EDT. Credit: NASA
” I am so pleased with the NASA, Boeing, and United Launch Alliance teams who have actually worked so tough to see Starliner on its method to the International Space Station,” stated NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “Through hardship, our groups have actually continued to innovate for the benefit of our country and all of humanity. I eagerly anticipate an effective end-to-end test of the Starliner spacecraft, which will assist make it possible for objectives with astronauts aboard.”
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket raises off on May 19, 2022, from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida for NASA Boeings uncrewed Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) for the agencys Commercial Crew Program. A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeings CST-100 Starliner spacecraft launches from Space Launch Complex 41, Thursday, May 19, 2022, at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. OFT-2 is set up to lift off at 6:54 p.m. ET Thursday, May 19, from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida bound for the International Space Station. As Starliner ascended into area, Boeing commanded the spacecraft from its mission control center at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA groups will monitor area station operations throughout the flight from Mission Control Center at the agencys Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Release and orbital insertion are significant turning points for the companys second uncrewed flight, bringing the U.S. closer to having two independent team systems flying missions to and from the spaceport station.
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V bring Boeings CST-100 Starliner for Orbital Flight Test-2 takes off at 6:54 p.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on May 19, 2022. Credit: NASA
Starliner is set up to dock to the forward port of the stations Harmony module about 7:10 p.m. Friday, May 20. After a successful docking, the crew of Expedition 67 will open Starliners hatch about 11:45 a.m. Saturday, May 21. Coverage of docking and hatch opening will air live on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the companys site.
” I am exceptionally grateful to our NASA, Boeing, and United Launch Alliance groups that have demonstrated willpower, determination, and commitment to ensuring we were all set for launch today and for this flight test,” said Kathryn Lueders, NASA associate administrator for space operations at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “We have found out so much as weve worked together to prepare for this objective, and we eagerly anticipate enjoying the spacecraft come to the area station for the first time and continuing to discover and improve as we prepare to fly our astronauts on Starliner.”
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeings CST-100 Starliner spacecraft launches from Space Launch Complex 41, Thursday, May 19, 2022, at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Boeings Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) is Starliners 2nd uncrewed flight test and will dock to the International Space Station as part of NASAs Commercial Crew Program.
For the flight test, Starliner is bring about 500 pounds of NASA cargo and crew materials and more than 300 pounds of Boeing cargo to the International Space Station. Following accreditation, NASA objectives aboard Starliner will carry as much as 4 team members to the station, allowing the ongoing expansion of the crew and increasing the amount of science and research that can be carried out aboard the orbiting lab.
OFT-2 will provide valuable data toward NASA accrediting Boeings team transportation system for regular flights with astronauts to and from the spaceport station.
Rosie the Rocketeer, Boeings anthropometric test gadget, claimed her spot when again in the commanders seat inside the companys CST-100 Starliner spacecraft for its second uncrewed Orbital Flight Test (OFT-2) for NASAs Commercial Crew Program. Rosies very first flight, OFT, provided hundreds of data points about what astronauts will experience throughout flight. For OFT-2, she will assist maintain Starliners center of gravity during climb, landing, docking, and undocking. OFT-2 is set up to lift off at 6:54 p.m. ET Thursday, May 19, from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida bound for the International Space Station. Credit: Boeing/John Proferes
” Weve learned a lot about the capability of our spacecraft and the strength of our team given that the first Starliner launch,” stated Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager, Boeing Commercial Crew Program. “We still have a great deal of functional testing ahead as we prepare to rendezvous with the spaceport station, but were prepared to show the system weve worked so hard on is capable of bring astronauts to space.”
As Starliner ascended into area, Boeing commanded the spacecraft from its objective control center at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA teams will keep track of space station operations throughout the flight from Mission Control Center at the agencys Johnson Space Center in Houston.
The Boeing CST-100 Starliner separates from the Atlas V Centaur second phase on May 19, 2022. Credit: NASA
” We are proud of our partnership function with Boeing in NASAs Commercial Crew Program and desire to thank our mission partners as this is truly a collective achievement,” stated Tory Bruno, president and CEO, United Launch Alliance. “The effective launch today marks the very first critical step toward the future of people spaceflight onboard an Atlas V and we look forward to the remainder of the mission and to safely flying astronauts in the future.”
Starliner is set up to leave the space station Wednesday, May 25, when it will return and undock to Earth, with a desert landing in the western U.S. The spacecraft will return with more than 600 pounds of cargo, consisting of Nitrogen Oxygen Recharge System reusable tanks that supply breathable air to station team members. The tanks will be reconditioned on Earth and returned to station on a future flight.
