CST-100

[Salo]

https://www.nasa.gov/specials/CCP2017/

[tnt22]

Jeff Foust‏ @jeff_foust 3 ч. назад

DCR = Design Certification Review, if you're curious (I was.) It "completes the design phase of the program, paving the way to operations," according to a ULA manager.

ULA‏Подлинная учетная запись @ulalaunch 3 ч. назад

One step closer! Successful #AtlasV Launch Segment DCR complete as we prepare to launch astronauts to the @space_station aboard @BoeingDefense's #Starliner! On track for uncrewed Orbital Flight test in August! #LaunchAmerica http://bit.ly/2lVgdbr 

[tnt22]

ULA‏Подлинная учетная запись @ulalaunch 3 ч. назад

The successful DCR completes the program's design phase. Final qual tests of hardware and software are underway + a major integrated test series, including structural loads. #AtlasV #Starliner

[tnt22]

Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight 59 мин. назад

ARTICLE: Atlas V flies through DCR ahead of Starliner debut - https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/01/atlas-v-flies-dcr-ahead-starliner-debut/ ...

Includes (a lot of) amazing renders by NSF/L2 artist Nathan Koga (@kogavfx)

Спойлер

[свернуть]

2 мин назад

PS No one should read too much into the "both on the same August window?" That's how planning documents work. Right now, officially, SpaceX Dragon 2 in second quarter, then Starliner in August. Planning docs are like rocket pilgrims...always planning for potential slips.

Atlas V flies through DCR ahead of Starliner debut

written by Chris Bergin and Danny Lentz | January 4, 2018

[tnt22]

ULA‏Подлинная учетная запись @ulalaunch 8 ч. назад

These are the booster fuel tanks for the Orbital Flight Test of the  :?:  #Starliner in August. The booster is now in final assembly, and the OFT Centaur has completed pressure testing. #LaunchAmerica @BoeingDefense http://bit.ly/2lVgdbr 

http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-completes-atlasv-starliner-dcr.aspx

United Launch Alliance Completes Key Milestone for Launch of Boeing's Starliner and Return of U.S.-based Human Spaceflight

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., Jan. 4, 2018 – United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully completed an Atlas V Launch Segment Design Certification Review (DCR) recently in preparation for the launch of astronauts to the International Space Station from U.S. soil in The Boeing Company's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft. ULA's Atlas V DCR supported the Boeing International Space Station (ISS) DCR that was held with NASA at Kennedy Space Center in early December.

Спойлер

"Design Certification Review is a significant milestone that completes the design phase of the program, paving the way to operations," said Barb Egan, ULA Commercial Crew program manager. "Hardware and software final qualification tests are underway, as well as a major integrated test series, including structural loads. Future tests will involve launch vehicle hardware, such as jettison tests, acoustic tests, and, finally, a pad abort test in White Sands, New Mexico."

Launch vehicle production is currently on track for an uncrewed August 2018 Orbital Flight Test (OFT). The OFT booster for the uncrewed flight is in final assembly at the factory in Decatur, Ala., and the OFT Centaur upper stage has completed pressure testing. Other hardware such as the launch vehicle adapter and aeroskirt production are on schedule to support test articles and flight.

"ULA is progressing into the operational phase to launch the OFT and Crew Flight Test in 2018, and we are pleased with the progress we're making toward a successful launch of Boeing's CST-100 Starliner on the Atlas V," said Gary Wentz, ULA Human and Commercial Systems vice president. "We cannot overstate the importance of all the steps that go into this process as there is more than just a mission or hardware at stake, but the lives of our brave astronauts."

The Boeing Company selected ULA's Atlas V rocket for human-rated spaceflight to the ISS. ULA's Atlas V has launched more than 70 times with a 100 percent mission success rate.

With more than a century of combined heritage, ULA is the nation's most experienced and reliable launch service provider. ULA has successfully delivered more than 120 satellites to orbit that aid meteorologists in tracking severe weather, unlock the mysteries of our solar system, provide critical capabilities for troops in the field and enable personal device-based GPS navigation. ...

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[tnt22]

Boeing Defense‏Подлинная учетная запись @BoeingDefense 9 ч. назад

Check out the #Starliner Pad Abort Test and Orbital Flight Test vehicles under construction! Now @ULALaunch #AtlasV has the green light for production + ops for the rocket that will boost OFT uncrewed #Starliner flight to @Space_Station Fall 2018! Go Atlas! Go Starliner!

[tnt22]

NASA Commercial Crew Program Mission in Sight for 2018

[tnt22]

Краткая версия "NASA Commercial Crew Program Mission in Sight for 2018"

https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2018/01/04/commercial-crew-2018-preview/

Posted Jan 4, 2018 at 4:00 pm on Commercial Crew Program

или

https://blogs.nasa.gov/kennedy/2018/01/04/commercial-crew-2018-preview/

Posted Jan 4, 2018 at 4:01 pm on Kennedy Space Center

Commercial Crew 2018 Preview
Anna Heiney



NASA and industry partners, Boeing and SpaceX, are targeting the return of human spaceflight from Florida's Space Coast in 2018. Both companies are scheduled to begin flight tests to prove the space systems meet NASA's requirements for certification in the coming year.

Спойлер

Since NASA awarded contracts to Boeing and SpaceX, the companies have matured space system designs and now have substantial spacecraft and launch vehicle hardware in development and testing in preparation for the test flights. The goal of the Commercial Crew Program is safe, reliable and cost-effective transportation to and from the International Space Station from the United States through a public-private approach. NASA, Boeing and SpaceX have significant testing underway, which will ultimately lead to test missions when the systems are ready and meet safety requirements.

Boeing's Starliner will launch on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 and SpaceX's Crew Dragon will launch on the company's Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A.

After completion of each company's uncrewed and crewed flight tests, NASA will review the flight data to verify the systems meet the requirements for certification. Upon NASA certification, the companies are each slated to fly six crew missions to the International Space Station beginning in 2019 and continuing through 2024.

Here's a look at (some of) what's ahead in 2018:

Boeing

Spacecraft: In 2018, Boeing will continue with the production and outfitting of three crew modules and multiple service modules inside the Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Boeing already has a structural version of its spacecraft going through loads, shock and separation test events in Huntington Beach, California. It will conduct a series of service module hot-fire tests in White Sands, New Mexico, as well as environmental testing to include thermal, vacuum and electromagnetic frequency in El Segundo, California.

Spacesuit: Boeing's spacesuit will continue to undergo integrated system verification tests. These include environmental control and life support system testing, immersing the suit in water, egress demos with the aid of virtual reality, suited launch and landing cabin operations, prelaunch emergency exit with ground crews, ascent simulations with mission operations teams and post-landing egress.
 ...

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[Salo]

https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2018/01/11/nasas-commercial-crew-program-target-test-flight-dates-2/

NASA's Commercial Crew Program Target Test Flight Dates
Anna Heiney
Posted on January 11, 2018
                   
The next generation of American spacecraft and rockets that will launch astronauts to the International Space Station are nearing the final stages of development and evaluation. NASA's Commercial Crew Program will return human spaceflight launches to U.S. soil, providing reliable and cost-effective access to low-Earth orbit on systems that meet our safety and mission requirements. To meet NASA's requirements, the commercial providers must demonstrate that their systems are ready to begin regular flights to the space station. Two of those demonstrations are uncrewed flight tests, known as Orbital Flight Test for Boeing, and Demonstration Mission 1 for SpaceX. After the uncrewed flight tests, both companies will execute a flight test with crew prior to being certified by NASA for crew rotation missions. The following schedule reflects the most recent publicly releasable dates for both providers.

Targeted Test Flight Dates:
 Boeing Orbital Flight Test (uncrewed): August 2018
 Boeing Crew Flight Test (crewed): November 2018
 SpaceX Demonstration Mission 1 (uncrewed): August 2018
 SpaceX Demonstration Mission 2 (crewed): December 2018

[Salo]

http://tass.ru/kosmos/4870845

Fox: NASA отложило пилотируемые полеты кораблей SpaceX и Boeing до весны 2019 года
12 января, 19:11 UTC+3
 По данным телеканала, решение приняли из-за высокого риска внештатных ситуаций и аварий при эксплуатации этих коммерческих кораблей
 
НЬЮ-ЙОРК, 12 января. /ТАСС/. Национальное управление по аэронавтике и исследованию космического пространства (NASA) США отложило до весны 2019 года начало регулярных пилотируемых полетов космических кораблей, разработанных американской компанией SpaceX и корпорацией Boeing. Решение обусловлено слишком высоким риском внештатных ситуаций и аварий при эксплуатации этих коммерческих кораблей, сообщил в пятницу телеканал Fox News.
До этого предполагалось, что первый подобный полет мог быть выполнен уже в этом году.
Американцы для доставки грузов на Международную космическую станцию используют корабли Cygnus компании Orbital ATK и Dragon производства SpaceX.

Эксперты не рекомендуют
Телеканал ссылается на насчитывающий 38 страниц доклад девяти экспертов NASA в области обеспечения безопасности космических полетов. В нем перечислены изъяны в конструкции кораблей этих компаний, представляющие риск при доставке людей на орбиту Земли. Среди них - нетрадиционные системы заправки ракетным топливом, пагубные последствия бомбардировки космических капсул фрагментами метеоров, комет или космического мусора.
Как напоминает телеканал, NASA давно постановило, что статистический предел гибели астронавтов во время миссий не должен превышать одного случая на каждые 270 полетов. Эксперты космического ведомства США заключили, что корабли SpaceX и Boeing, несмотря на годы испытаний и многочисленные успешные миссии, не будут соответствовать этому параметру в случае начала транспортировки людей на орбиту или Луну.
В частности, беспокойство выражено по поводу способа заправки горючим ракеты-носителя Falcon 9 производства SpaceX и конструкции ее внешних топливных баков. NASA и подчиненные главы компании Илона Маска провели консультации на этот счет, однако ряд вопросов все еще остаются без ответа, что не позволяет получить "добро" космического ведомства на начало доставки астронавтов на орбиту.

Планы корректируются
По данным телеканала, SpaceX перенесла первый пилотируемый пуск с лета этого года на декабрь. Boeing рассчитывала отправить корабль с астронавтами на борту в предстоящем ноябре, хотя и допускал прежде, что это станет возможным только в 2019 году.
Как сообщалось ранее, в минувший понедельник SpaceX запустила Falcon 9, который должен был вывести на орбиту секретный спутник США под кодовым обозначением Zuma. О судьбе спутника до сих пор официальных данных нет. Компания Маска настаивает на том, что ее ракета сработала в штатном режиме и не несет ответственности за случившееся с аппаратом.
В четверг SpaceX второй раз отложила огневые испытания сверхтяжелого носителя Falcon Heavy на мысе Канаверал (штат Флорида). В тот же день американская компания United Launch Alliance (ULA) отложила на сутки запуск ракеты-носителя Delta IV со спутником NROL-47 Национального управления военно-космической разведки со стартового комплекса базы ВВС США Ванденберг в Калифорнии. ULA является совместным предприятием авиационных гигантов Boeing и Lockheed Martin.

[triage]

Salo пишет:
Targeted Test Flight Dates:
 Boeing Orbital Flight Test (uncrewed): August 2018
 Boeing Crew Flight Test (crewed): November 2018
 SpaceX Demonstration Mission 1 (uncrewed): August 2018
 SpaceX Demonstration Mission 2 (crewed): December 2018

Salo пишет:
до весны 2019 года начало регулярных пилотируемых полетов космических кораблей

А далее там отсюда замечания, но там даты на ноябрь 2017 года    
Годовой отчет по безопасности 
https://oiir.hq.nasa.gov/asap/documents/2017_ASAP_Annual_Report.pdf

И лучше читать его чем ".В нем перечислены изъяны в конструкции кораблей этих компаний, представляющие риск при доставке людей на орбиту Земли.....  Эксперты космического ведомства США заключили, что корабли SpaceX и Boeing, несмотря на годы испытаний и многочисленные успешные миссии, не будут соответствовать этому параметру в случае начала транспортировки людей на орбиту или Луну. "

[Чебурашка]

А если по методике ASAP оценить вероятность LOC для Союза?
Интересно сколько будет.

[tnt22]

https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2018/01/18/mixed-reality-technology-helps-nasa-astronauts-prepare-for-starliner-returns-from-the-space-station/

Mixed Reality Technology Helps NASA Astronauts Prepare for Starliner Returns from the Space Station

Anna Heiney
Posted Jan 18, 2018


NASA's Commercial Crew Program astronauts, wearing spacesuits and augmented reality headsets, rehearse returning to Earth from the International Space Station during recent testing at Boeing's Extended Reality Laboratory in Philadelphia. The astronauts are seated upside down so they can practice releasing their seat harness and moving to the side hatch of the Starliner without assistance. The astronauts wearing the mixed reality gear see a digital version of the interior of the Starliner as it would look in the real-life scenario while interacting with the environment around them. Photo credit: Boeing

NASA's Commercial Crew Program astronauts training to fly test missions to and from the International Space Station are practicing returning to Earth from the microgravity laboratory. Recent testing at Boeing's Extended Reality Laboratory in Philadelphia combines mixed reality simulations with astronauts wearing spacesuits and augmented reality headsets, and secured in mock-up Starliner seats – the spacecraft being developed by Boeing. The testing allows astronauts to perform an exit from their seats in uncommon landing conditions. The astronauts are seated upside down so they can practice releasing their seat harness and moving to the side hatch of the Starliner without assistance. The astronauts wearing the mixed reality gear see a digital version of the interior of the Starliner as it would look in the real-life scenario while interacting with the environment around them.

Спойлер

In total, 30 practice runs were completed, some to familiarize the crew with the exit procedures and some additional timed runs. The Starliner is designed to land in the Western United States under parachutes and touch down on airbags located on the bottom of the spacecraft. In the event that the capsule does not land upright, testing in extreme conditions helps prepare astronauts for any situation, including an inverted position.

Boeing already has completed a series of parachute drop tests and full-scale landing qualification tests to understand a wide range of spacecraft conditions when returning to earth. The company also has used test dummies in stand-alone seat tests and incorporated the dummies into landing drop tests to understand impacts to crew members.

Both Boeing and SpaceX have been working with the astronauts training to fly the test missions to the International Space Station. The two commercial providers have been developing unique systems to meet the goal of returning crew launches to the United States. Boeing's Starliner will launch on the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. SpaceX is developing the Crew Dragon, or Dragon 2, spacecraft to launch on the company's Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A. Both companies will begin their journeys from Florida's Space Coast. Boeing plans to return on land, while SpaceX will splash down in the Atlantic Ocean. Recent SpaceX testing for return to Earth has included rescue and recovery training in the Atlantic with spacesuit-clad astronauts and personnel who will assist upon return to Earth.

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[tnt22]

https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2018/02/08/nasas-continued-focus-on-returning-u-s-human-spaceflight-launches/

NASA's Continued Focus on Returning U.S. Human Spaceflight Launches

Stephanie Martin
Posted Feb 8, 2018 at 9:47 pm



NASA's Commercial Crew Program and private industry partners, Boeing and SpaceX, continue to develop the systems that will return human spaceflight to the United States. Both commercial partners are undertaking considerable amounts of testing in 2018 to prove space system designs and the ability to meet NASA's mission and safety requirement for regular crew flights to the International Space Station.

"The work Boeing and SpaceX are doing is incredible. They are manufacturing spaceflight hardware, performing really complicated testing and proving their systems to make sure we get it right." said Kathy Lueders, program manager NASA Commercial Crew Program. "Getting it right is the most important thing."

Спойлер

Both Boeing and SpaceX plan to fly test missions without crew to the space station prior to test flights with a crew onboard this year. After each company's test flights, NASA will work to certify the systems and begin post-certification crew rotation missions. The current flight schedules for commercial crew systems provide about six months of margin to begin regular, post-certification crew rotation missions to the International Space Station before contracted flights on Soyuz flights end in fall 2019.

As part of the agency's normal contingency planning, NASA is exploring multiple scenarios as the agency protects for potential schedule adjustments to ensure continued U.S. access to the space station. One option under consideration would extend the duration of upcoming flight tests with crew targeted for the end of 2018 on the Boeing CST-100 Starliner and SpaceX Crew Dragon. The flights could be extended longer than the current two weeks planned for test flights, and likely less than a six-month full-duration mission. The agency also is assessing whether there is a need to add another NASA crew member on the flight tests.

This would not the first time NASA has expanded the scope of test flights. NASA had SpaceX carry cargo on its commercial demonstration flight to the International Space Station in 2012, which was not part of the original agreement. This decision allowed NASA to ensure the crew aboard the space station had the equipment, food and other supplies needed on the station after the end of the agency's Space Shuttle Program.

As with all contingency plans, the options will receive a thorough review by the agency, including safety and engineering reviews. NASA will make a decision on these options within the next few months to begin training crews.

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[tnt22]

Chris G - NSF‏ @ChrisG_NSF 8 ч. назад

Interesting. Bob Cabana, @NASAKennedy Center Director, says current schedule is SpaceX/Boeing uncrewed test flights in August. #Boeing crew flight in November. #SpaceX crew flight in December this year. #CommercialCrew

[Чебурашка]

От он какой северный олень

[tnt22]

https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/974268180872028162/pu/vid/1280x720/fL3mZc5Yd79SFzxt.mp4
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/974268180872028162/pu/vid/1280x720/fL3mZc5Yd79SFzxt.mp4 (2:08 )

[tnt22]

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/15/behind-the-scenes-at-boeings-starliner-space-capsule-plant.html

Look inside Boeing's race against SpaceX to launch the next generation of human spaceflight

Michael Sheetz | @thesheetztweetz
Published 2 Hours Ago | Updated 2 Hours Ago

https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/974268180872028162/pu/vid/1280x720/fL3mZc5Yd79SFzxt.mp4
(video 2:08 )

On July 21, 2011, astronaut Chris Ferguson guided the Atlantis back to Earth to conclude the final space shuttle mission. It was the end of an era for launching humans to space fr om American soil — one he says brought tumbleweeds and empty parking lots to NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

"But then the gates opened in 2014 and tumbleweeds stopped blowing across the road and the cars started showing up in the parking lot," Ferguson, who is now Boeing's director of Starliner crew and mission systems, told CNBC.

Boeing and SpaceX are competing — the former with its Starliner capsules and the latter its Dragon capsules — to fulfill contracts for NASA's Commercial Crew program to ferry astronauts to and fr om the International Space Station. Both companies are on track to test uncrewed variations in August, according to the most recent NASA announcements, with crewed tests no earlier than November for Boeing and December for SpaceX.

With Starliner nearing its first launch, Boeing took CNBC for a look inside the company's assembly plant at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Спойлер

Three Starliner capsules in progress


Boeing
An interior look at one of the capsule's service modules.

Boeing has three spacecraft in progress – Starliners 1, 2 and 3. The first is a launch-abort test module to be used to certify crew escape systems in the event of an emergency. The second is for the crew test and will actually fly after the third, which is being used for the uncrewed test.

"You make sure that you have failure capability that you can degrade gracefully to where you're never in a spot where you can't get the humans home safely," Ferguson said.

That level of safety is not a worry for current U.S. launches of unmanned satellites. But Starliner requires "building a level of redundancy into a vehicle that, no matter how bad of a day, we can always get them home safely," Ferguson said.

Sharing innovations within Boeing


Boeing
Boeing engineers work on the Starliner capsule's frame.

As a company with three multibillion-dollar divisions, Boeing is known for its work as an airplane manufacturer and a defense contractor before its space businesses. But the company says Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg is trying to change that with his "One Boeing" initiative, so the company shares resources and talent from within.

One example of Boeing applying Muilenburg's principle is when the company brought in engineers from the commercial airplanes division to teach those in the Starliner program how to use a "shimming tool." In essence, the specialized tool was capable of drilling and installing the black seams (seen below) in a few hours. When done by hand, each seam would have taken about a month to install.


Boeing
A close-up of one of the capsule's service modules.

Investments made to refurbish shuttle-era infrastructure


Boeing
The Starliner facility's Space Shuttle-era hangar doors, wh ere the underlying infrastructure is visible under the new Boeing remodeling.

Ferguson says that when Boeing got the Starliner contract in 2014, "the money began to flow and we were able to make this big infrastructure investment to pursue spaceflight."

Starliner's plant was repurposed from the space shuttle days after investment from Space Florida and Boeing. The outline of the shuttle is still visible in the hangar doors, wh ere one can see a cut high in the wall for its tail.

"But as you can see, from that white line on down, this is a new facility. All of the services are new," Ferguson said.


Boeing
The Starliner facility's underlying Space Shuttle-era infrastructure is visible under the Boeing remodeling.

Learning from the space shuttle


Boeing
Boeing engineers in "bunny suits" work on a Starliner capsule in a clean room.

Many Starliner employees took part in building and refurbishing shuttles, Ferguson said. While the shuttles were never quite what NASA dreamed they would be, Starliner is built from lessons learned from that program.

The difference is in "how we've exploited the technology we developed for other programs and repurposed it to use here," Ferguson said.

Taking something as simple as a small handle used to break the windows of the shuttle to escape, Ferguson explained that the shuttle had a "nifty handle they made just for that explicit purpose."

"We have our own version of that handle but it's a repurposed F-15 [fighter jet] ordinance selection handle. So we didn't have to make a one-off," Ferguson said. You'd be hard-pressed to find "one-off parts with this vehicle."

"The space shuttle had 1,100 switches, things you could touch. I retired and I still don't think I knew what every switch in that shuttle did," Ferguson said.

Starliner has "on the order of 40," he said, making it a lot more akin to a modern commercial airline cockpit.

The future of commercial space


Boeing
A Boeing Starliner capsule near completion.

"The space shuttle, in 2010 dollars, cost between $35 [billion] and $40 billion to develop," Ferguson said.

Beyond the development cost, he noted, it cost $3 billion per year to operate, all for about a half-dozen launches each year.

By comparison, Starliner's contract is worth $4.2 billion for Boeing to build three spacecraft. The company contracted United Launch Alliance to deliver two test flights and six service flights.

Ferguson thinks NASA has "the right approach" to the modern era of the space industry.

"They're underwriting the development of commercial capabilities with the hope that, if they kick-start this, then commercial companies [can] go find other sustaining businesses that can keep them going so that they become entities in and of themselves," Ferguson said.

And from there, "NASA can buy services off of them," Ferguson added, bringing costs for below what has ever been seen before.


Boeing
A Starliner capsule near completion, with its heat shield underbelly visible in the foreground.

[свернуть]

[Astro Cat]

Че то готовность не впечатляет. Еще пахать и пахать.

[triage]

tnt22 пишет:
 https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/15/behind-the-scenes-at-boeings-starliner-space-capsule-plant.html
Boeing has three spacecraft in progress – Starliners 1, 2 and 3. The first is a launch-abort test module to be used to certify crew escape systems in the event of an emergency. The second is for the crew test and will actually fly after the third, which is being used for the uncrewed test.

https://twitter.com/BoeingDefense/status/974310257999654913

 https://twitter.com/BoeingDefense/status/974349289630650368

https://twitter.com/jodigralnick/status/974325063053991936

 https://youtu.be/YquBmaJo1So
https://youtu.be/YquBmaJo1So