NASA and Boeing have scrubbed today's Starliner Orbital Flight Test-2 launch, though contrary to expectations it's not because of last week's problems at the International Space Station. The US space agency had warned that the Starliner launch might be pushed back, after an unexpected incident on the new Russian ISS module saw it shuffled out of position.
With the new Russian module successfully attached to the ISS, NASA is now turning its attention to the Starliner launch expected to happen early next week. NASA has confirmed that it will provide prelaunch, launch, and docking activities coverage for the Boeing Orbital Flight Test-2 mission to the ISS. OFT-2 is the second uncrewed flight test of the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft as part of the Commercial Crew Program.
NASA and Boeing have postponed today's Orbital Flight Test-2 launch attempt, pushing back the Starliner test into August as work continues on the International Space Station. The orbiting research platform was unexpectedly jolted this week, after what's been described as a software glitch caused the newly-arrived Russian module to light up its thrusters.
NASA and Boeing have announced they are proceeding with plans for the Boeing Starliner CST-100 uncrewed Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) mission to the ISS. The confirmation that flight readiness tests were complete came from NASA following a full day of briefings and discussion during the Flight Readiness Review at Kennedy Space Center.
NASA has announced that it will have complete coverage of the second launch of Starliner on July 30. The space agency is inviting the public to participate virtually in the launch currently scheduled for 2:53 PM EDT Friday, July 30. The mission is OFT-2 and is the second uncrewed flight for the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft.
NASA and Boeing are gearing up to launch a literal dummy into space next month as part of the Commercial Crew Program. The dummy is named Rosie; she belongs to Boeing, which previously used her to collect data during its first (uncrewed) Orbital Flight Test, the OFT-1. This time around, Rosie will be sent into space to help collect data about Starliner's design.
The United States Navy and Boeing have announced a first in aviation history. The Navy and Boeing have been testing MQ-25 unmanned aircraft known as the MQ-25 T1 test asset. In a recent test, the MQ-25 was able to perform aerial refueling of a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet, demonstrating its aerial refueling mission for the first time.
Boeing faces a further $17 million in fines from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) over the 737 MAX incident, the penalties announced amid rumors that 787 Dreamliner deliveries have again been delayed. The aircraft-maker saw 737 MAX planes return to service late in 2020, after nearly two years of being grounded following two fatal crashes.
It's a long road to getting a spacecraft certified to carry cargo and astronauts to and from the ISS in orbit above the Earth. NASA and Boeing have announced they have completed an integrated mission dress rehearsal using a simulation for the Starliner Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2). OFT-2 will see the Starliner fly to the space station as part of the NASA Commercial Crew Program.
Boeing has been evaluating a new target launch date for its next Starliner mission over the last several weeks. The next test flight for the Starliner capsule won't have crew aboard. The mission will launch aboard an Atlas V rocket and dock with the ISS, spending about a week on the orbiting space station before returning to Earth. This test flight is expected to happen in July or early August, but no official date has been announced.
Tui is a company in the UK that operates commercial airline services. Recently, a flight departing Birmingham airport and heading to Majproca with 187 people on board was in what the Air Accidents Investigation Branch classifies as a "serious incident." The incident wasn't because of a failure of some sort aboard the aircraft or an error made by the pilots in charge.
The beleaguered Boeing 737 MAX has run into another issue, with the plane-maker recommending that some of tis jets be grounded after identifying more safety problems. A "potential electrical issue" has been blamed for the sudden announcement, which could force some airlines to cancel flights after aircraft are benched.