![The Starliner spacecraft for the Crew Flight Test is being readied at Boeing's Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Credit: Boeing / John Grant](https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/52647409385_0e66e2334e_o_0.jpeg)
The Starliner spacecraft for the Crew Flight Test is being readied at Boeing’s Industrial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Credit: Boeing / John Grant
Two newly discovered issues have prompted NASA and Boeing to postpone the launch of Starliner’s Crew Flight Test, which was expected in July.
Each problems were discovered in a checkpoint review and had gone unnoticed for years. One stemmed from incorrectly recorded data showing fabric soft links on the parachute lines were stronger than they were. The opposite was latest data that suggested the wire tape used extensively throughout the spacecraft could be flammable under certain conditions.
![A file photo of a Starliner parachute drop test. Credit: Boeing](https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/StarlinerParachuteTest-655x368.jpg)
A file photo of a Starliner parachute drop test. Credit: Boeing
In a June 1, 2023, media teleconference, Mark Nappi, Boeing’s vp and Starliner program manager, said the problems were communicated all of the solution to the corporate’s CEO. It was unanimously decided this was something that required standing down from the July launch attempt so as to determine the right way to resolve the brand new problems.
“We’ve created some flow charts for the tape. We’ve created some flow charts for the parachute system and what’s it that we want to go do,” Nappi said within the teleconference. “We’ve got to go answer all those questions after which we’ll spend the subsequent five or seven days or so answering those questions and putting together schedules that support the recovery and eventual next attempt for CFT.”
Nappi said Starliner itself is in fine condition. Within the recent checkpoint review, all anomalies from the Orbital Flight Test-2 mission last 12 months were closed and 95% of the Crew Flight Test certification products were accomplished, in accordance with NASA.
For the parachute issue, because load failure limit for the material parachute soft links was lower than recorded, it decreases the factor of safety for the parachute system. Nappi said Boeing is several ways to recuperate from this issue and didn’t rule out additional drop tests.
![A view of Starliner without its outer covers, showing the extensive wiring on the outside of the pressure module. Credit: Boeing](https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/KSC-20180809-PH_BOE01_0007large.jpg)
A view of Starliner without its outer covers, showing the extensive wiring on the surface of the pressure module. Credit: Boeing
As for the wire tape, one solution could be to wrap among the existing tape — lots of of feet price throughout the capsule — with a more fire-resistant material. Tape around wire harnesses helps prevent wire chafing and other potential damage.
Each the parachute and wire tape problems will likely require the removal of parts of the spacecraft so as to reach areas that should be addressed.
Nappi didn’t rule out flying later this 12 months. International Space Station program manager Joel Montalbano said if the problems are resolved in time, there could also be a slot within the very busy ISS schedule in the autumn for long-delayed crewed test flight.
![NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore, left and Sunita Williams during T-38 pre-flight activities at Ellington Field in Houston. Credit: NASA](https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/FbG00mlUUAExUPr-655x436.jpg)
NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore, left and Sunita Williams during T-38 pre-flight activities at Ellington Field in Houston. Credit: NASA
“We’re finding things now. That’s a testament to the method,” Nappi said. “It may be questioned, should we be catching most of these things this late? And that could be because there was a certain sense of optimism when among the designs were done. A number of the processes were created a few years ago, they usually’ve led to a few of these items sort of creeping their way through the system.”
Starliner’s Crew Flight Test is predicted to see Spacecraft Commander Barry Wilmore and Pilot Sunita Williams — each NASA astronauts — fly a weeklong mission to the ISS to confirm the vehicle’s systems.
Assuming all goes well, Starliner will probably be certified for normal crew rotation flights to the ISS alongside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft.
Boeing was chosen with SpaceX in 2014 to offer crew transportation to the space station. Boeing was awarded $4.2 billion while SpaceX was awarded $2.6 billion.
The primary uncrewed Orbital Flight Test occurred in December 2019. Nevertheless, extensive problems with the spacecraft immediately after reaching orbit prevented the vehicle from reaching the ISS.
A second uncrewed Orbital Flight Test was flown in May 2022, but not before nearly a 12 months’s price of delays from summer 2021 stemming from corroded valves on Starliner.
After the Crew Flight Test, NASA has ordered six ISS crew rotation flights using Starliner. Combined with Crew Dragon flights, this ought to be enough for the space station program though its planned end in 2030.