City
Epaper

Boeing Starliner set for 1st uncrewed flight test on Dec 20

By IANS | Updated: December 19, 2019 13:35 IST

Boeing's passenger spacecraft, the CST-100 Starliner, is all set to make its first uncrewed trip to the International Space Station (ISS) on December 20.

Open in App

The spacecraft is set to lift off on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) in Florida.

Data from the flight test will be used as part of NASA's process of certifying Boeing's crew transportation system for carrying astronauts to and from the space station, the US space agency said on Wednesday.

The flight test will provide valuable data about the end-to-end performance of the Atlas V rocket, Starliner spacecraft, and ground systems, as well as in-orbit, docking and landing operations.

In addition, the Starliner spacecraft will carry about 272kg of crew supplies and equipment to the ISS and return some critical research samples to the Earth.

Boeing's uncrewed Orbital Flight Test (OFT) is the second uncrewed test flight of NASA's Commercial Crew Programme, a partnership with the aerospace industry to launch astronauts on US rockets and spacecraft from US soil for the first time since 2011.

Earlier this year, the SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule completed its historic unmanned flight test to the space station.

NASA selected SpaceX and Boeing to create integrated spacecraft, rockets and associated systems to carry astronauts on NASA missions in September 2014.

Now these companies are building and operating this new generation of human-rated vehicles.

( With inputs from IANS )

Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalTwo vessels carrying over 60,000 MT of LPG to reach India this week: Union Shipping Ministry

InternationalChief advisor to Brazil's presidency Amorim warns of real risk of world war, says global order no longer exists

CricketKolkata Knight Riders unveil a fan mural at Rash Behari Avenue in South Kolkata

BusinessWorld Health Day: Smart Snacking with American Pistachios

BusinessWe Are Ready to Compete with Industry Giants”: Growth, Strategy and IPO Plans of Safety Controls and Devices Ltd.

International Realted Stories

InternationalTaliban claims capturing Pakistani border post in Eastern Afghanistan

InternationalINS Sunayna reaches Male under IOS SAGAR, boosts India-Maldives maritime cooperation

InternationalCanada's anti-hate bill offers ray of hope amid rising Khalistani extremism

InternationalEnsuring safety of Indian nationals in Gulf top priority: MEA's Aseem R Mahajan amid West Asia conflict

InternationalEast Turkistan Government in Exile terms Baren Uprising a 'legitimate anti-colonial resistance' and marks 36th anniversary