Looks like Boeing and NASA are gonna give Starliner a try at a manned launch, no earlier than May 6. Current launch time is set for like 10:34pm eastern on Monday eve.

It?s been a looooong birthing process for NASA and Boeing on this vehicle.

NASA blog link: https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/


Earl

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Earl L. Cagle, Jr.
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Owner/Producer
Point 39 Productions

Rocket-Brained Since 1970

Any bets on how many times the launch gets delayed/postponed for some weenie reason ?

Long ??
I'd say ABSURDLY LONGGGGGG.

There has been almost ZERO sense of urgency in the space program since Apollo.

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When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, AGITATION, CHAOS, TURMOIL, FIASCOS, AGGRAVATION, INSTIGATION, NUISANCE-ACTION, and HAVOC !

The launch complex viewing from from 5 miles away sold out all the tickets ($70) for the May 6th launch.

https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/...flight-test-cft

We saw a space shuttle launch, STS 132, and it was well worth the trip. Also went to KSC. Lots of signs stating "Obama Lied, Space Coast Died".

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John Simmons a.k.a. "Lakeroadster"
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I recently saw photographic evidence of the damage in a recent video, but don't recall which one. Not Starliner news, just about Artemis.

NASA's Orion Capsule Heat Shield Wore Away in More Than 100 Places During 2022 Test Flight, Posing "Significant Risks" - May 3, 2024

A new report highlights safety issues that NASA must address before using the spacecraft to send astronauts to the moon, and the agency is already working on fixing the problems

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smar...isks-180984296/

NASA Office of Inspector General
NASA's Readiness for the Artemis II
Crewed Mission to Lunar Orbit
1 May 2024

https://oig.nasa.gov/wp-content/upl...5/ig-24-011.pdf

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For non-engineer bean counters in management: "If you think professionals are expensive, try hiring amateurs."

Tory Talk // Atlas V Starliner CFT
United Launch Alliance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViyQP7EFaJs

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For non-engineer bean counters in management: "If you think professionals are expensive, try hiring amateurs."

It probably won't be the Atlas V's fault if it doesn't go. ULA has been pretty solid with the Delta IV and Atlas V boosters.

I hope it goes well and can become even remotely competitive with Dragon/Falcon, but not for the reasons you'd think.


****It's because SpaceX pressure suits are hideous and I'm ready to see some normal looking ones, even if they are blue!

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I love sanding.

NASA blog currently saying weather is 95% go for launch tonight.

Link: https://blogs.nasa.gov/boeing-crew-flight-test/boeing/


Earl

__________________
Earl L. Cagle, Jr.
NAR# 29523
TRA# 962
SAM# 73
Owner/Producer
Point 39 Productions

Rocket-Brained Since 1970

And SpaceX put up a batch of Starlinks from LC-40 about three hours ago, so the weather was reasonable then. Broken thin clouds during that ascent.

Here's hoping Starliner's flight goes well!

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Bernard Cawley
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Yeah, hoping so. One would think the Boeing crew members there at the Cape are quite ready to finally get a manned flight under their belts.

Earl

__________________
Earl L. Cagle, Jr.
NAR# 29523
TRA# 962
SAM# 73
Owner/Producer
Point 39 Productions

Rocket-Brained Since 1970

Fueling underway.

Link: https://blogs.nasa.gov/boeing-crew-...eling-underway/


And the link to the NASA streaming for the launch. Going live in just moments.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb3qcR2tUQs


Earl

__________________
Earl L. Cagle, Jr.
NAR# 29523
TRA# 962
SAM# 73
Owner/Producer
Point 39 Productions

Rocket-Brained Since 1970