ULA
Here’s how to watch ULA Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test
United Launch Alliance (ULA) is ready to launch the first Boeing Crew Space Transportation (CST)-100 Starliner spacecraft and here’s how you can watch the full test flight.
The flight coverage will air on NASA’s YouTube channel and the mission is targeting a launch window at 10:34 p.m. EDT on May 6, 2024. You can check the live feed link below.
Preparations
On May 4, Boeing and ULA moved the CST-100 Starliner in position on Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida (launch site).
Combined with the Atlas V rocket, the Starliner vehicle stands at 172 feet (52 meters). The company says the weather forecast shows 95 percent favorable conditions to launch this flight.
Our engineers at @NASAKennedy powered up and activated #Starliner. Meanwhile, @ulalaunch teams loaded the Atlas V first stage with 25,000 gallons of RP-1 fuel. Both vehicles are healthy for launch on May 6 at 10:34 p.m. ET.
Learn more: https://t.co/KQoIptyyOh pic.twitter.com/fKa2X68msd
— Boeing Space (@BoeingSpace) May 6, 2024
Mission objective
The mission will demonstrate Starliner’s capability to launch, dock, and return astronauts from the Space Station under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The spacecraft will host two NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams.
After separation from the upper stage, the Starliner will kick off its engines and take the mission to the Space Station.
Boeing Starliner Spacecraft Integration to United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V5 Rocket (Image Credit: Boeing Space)
Lunch vehicle
ULA has specially customized the Atlas V rocket for this launch and ensured sufficient power to en route the spacecraft. The launch vehicle includes a dual-engine Centaur upper stage to shape the trajectory for crew safety.
It has a vehicle adapter to attach the Starliner to the Atlas V rocket for ascent. ULA has improved the Atlas’s aerodynamics characteristics stability and loads with a 70-inch (1.8 meter) aeroskirt.
The launch services provider has built an Emergency Detection System to provide an additional safety layer for astronauts. The Atlas V Starliner launch countdown has a four-hour planned hold at the T-minus 4-minute mark. This will enable the launch team to fuel the vehicle and verify all systems before onboarding astronauts.
(source)