On March 30, joint efforts between NASA and Boeing marked another step forward for the Starliner spacecraft's upcoming historic crewed mission.
Known as the Crew Flight Test (CFT), the mission is targeted for liftoff in early May. The launch will use United Launch Alliance's Atlas V rocket, propelling Starliner from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on its 10-day journey to the International Space Station (ISS).
As the launch window approaches, Boeing announced on March 18 the commencement of propellant loading operations, a pivotal stage signifying the home stretch towards liftoff.
The loading process, expected to take about two weeks, is being conducted at the Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility (C3PF) near the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Kennedy Space Center.
Boeing's latest update on Monday detailed that a highly trained team of technicians, fluid, propulsion, and electrical test engineers will meticulously manage the fueling process.
They will closely monitor telemetry from Starliner's sensors, valves, and the environment within the C3PF to ensure every aspect is nominal throughout the operation.
In 2014, NASA's Commercial Crew Program awarded multi-billion-dollar contracts to Boeing and Elon Musk's SpaceX for crewed spaceflights.
SpaceX has since launched eight crewed missions and one crewed test flight for NASA, while Starliner has yet to carry humans to orbit.
Despite two uncrewed test flights, the first in December 2019 encountered multiple issues and failed to dock with the ISS. The second attempt in May 2022 was successful.
Initially scheduled to launch last summer, CFT faced several delays due to technical issues, including a snagged release mechanism on Starliner's main parachutes and exposed wiring wrapped in flammable tape.
However, NASA and Boeing officials have confirmed that engineers have resolved these concerns. CFT is now on track to embark on Starliner's inaugural crewed flight this spring.
The event marks a significant milestone not only for Boeing and NASA's partnership but also for commercial human spaceflight, further advancing global space exploration endeavors.
