Updated:26/05/2022 16:40h
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The CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, manufactured by Boeing to transport NASA astronauts, successfully returned for the first time from the International Space Station (ISS). The capsule, for which this was its second unmanned orbital test, touched down at the US Army’s White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico at 2349 UTC on May 25 (1 AM PST). May 26).
The @BoeingSpace#Starliner parachuted to a gentle landing on its airbags in New Mexico at 6:49pm ET today. More… https://t.co/MNfD6mWuOTpic.twitter.com/slUTOQH6u3
— International Space Station (@Space_Station) May 25, 2022
Starliner’s return to Earth ends the successful end-to-end unmanned orbital flight test that was conducted to demonstrate the quality and performance of the transportation system ahead of manned flights, Boeing said in a statement.
The flight test began on May 19 with a launch from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. After liftoff, Starliner entered Earth orbit, performed a series of its capabilities and docked with ISS Orbital Outpost 26 hours after launch. The Expedition 67 crew aboard the station opened the hatches and entered the capsule for the first time, inspecting the ship and verifying integration with the station’s power and communications systems for longer stays in the future. The station crew also unloaded 500 pounds of cargo delivered by Starliner and sent 600 pounds of cargo back to Earth.
Both the capabilities of the Atlas V rocket and those of the spacecraft itself were tested during launch, ascent, orbiting, re-entry and landing. Starliner’s autonomous software and in-orbit operation of its avionics system, docking system, communications/telemetry systems, environmental control systems, solar panels, electrical power systems, and propulsion systems were also considered; as well as the ability to maintain docking attitude, receive orders from the space station crew, and order holds and pullouts during final approach to the station. On the other hand, battery charging, hatch opening and closing, establishment of joint ventilation with the station, transfer of files and transfer of cargo were also assessed.
#Starliner hatch opened at 6:06 p.m. MT. pic.twitter.com/BWdxQuvu9S
— Boeing Space (@BoeingSpace) May 26, 2022
Boeing recovered the spacecraft from the desert and will transport it back to the company’s Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida for processing. After NASA and Boeing review the processing data from this test flight, the teams will continue with plans for Starliner and its next mission, the manned test flight to the space station.
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