Boeing Starliner Returned to Vertical Integration Facility for Testing

[Elderberry]

Blogs.NASA.gov by Linda Herridge 8/5/2021

https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2021/08/05/boeing-starliner-returned-to-vertical-integration-facility-for-testing/

NASA and Boeing are continuing to work through steps to determine what caused the unexpected valve position indications on the CST-100 Starliner propulsion system during the countdown for its Aug. 3 launch attempt.

Now that the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with the Starliner spacecraft on top has been returned to its Vertical Integration Facility (VIF) at Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, engineers will have direct access to Starliner with the assembly of support structures around the spacecraft’s service module for continued troubleshooting.

Boeing will power up Starliner, allowing the vehicle to receive commands providing the teams with real-time data.

The data will drive any corrective measures that may be necessary to ensure Starliner is ready for launch. When NASA’s Commercial Crew Program and Boeing agree the issue is resolved, a new launch opportunity will be selected, taking into account the readiness of all parties involved and the availability of the International Space Station and its crew to support the spacecraft’s arrival.

[Elderberry]

Next Boeing Starliner Launch Could be Weeks to Months Away

Parabolic Arc by Doug Messier August 4, 2021

http://parabolicarc.com/2021/08/04/next-boeing-starliner-launch-could-be-weeks-to-months-away/

It could take between several weeks and two months for Boeing to work through the valve problems that resulted in the launch scrub of the Starliner spacecraft on Tuesday, a source tells Parabolic Arc. The vehicle will be launched from Florida on an uncrewed flight test to the International Space Station (ISS).

The launch was scrubbed after engineers received what Boeing said “unexpected valve position indications in the propulsion system” of the spacecraft. The signals came from more than half of the 24 propulsion valves in Starliner’s service module, according to the source, who insisted upon anonymity due to not being authorized to speak to media.

The affected valves, which are positioned throughout the service module, supply fuel and oxidizer to Starliner’s attitude control and orbital maneuvering thrusters and launch abort engines. Boeing said it ruled out software errors as a cause of the signals.

A number of the valves are in locations that can’t be reached because the spacecraft was closed out for launch. It is possible that Boeing engineers will need to partially de-stack Starliner from its Atlas V booster and take apart the service module to reach the valves, the source said.