#NASA and #Boeing will try yet again today to launch the #Starliner Crewed Test Flight (#CFT) from #CCSFS Launch Complex 41. NASA TV coverage begins on the NASA YouTube channel at 8:15 AM EDT / 5:15 AM PDT. Launch time is targeting 12:25 PM EDT / 9:25 AM PDT.
#Space #SpaceCoast #NASA #Boeing
The TY Flippable Narwhal "Calypso" is the Zero Gravity indicator for today's #CFT launch. ZGIs are released in the cabin after launch to show they're experiencing microgravity.
"Calypso" is also the name of the #Starliner spacecraft.
TY no longer carries Calypso but you can find it on eBay. I just ordered one.
#Space #SpaceCoast #NASA #Boeing #Starliner #CFT
Boeing is working an anomaly that could scrub this launch yet again. From Bill Harwood of #CBSNews on Zombie Twitter:
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A5/Starliner CFT: ULA engineers are discussing an issue of some sort with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen topping valves ... liquid oxygen and hydrogen topping has been halted for troubleshooting
#Space #SpaceCoast #NASA #Boeing #Starliner #CFT
English translation ... Liquid oxygen (-297°F) and liquid hydrogen (-423°F) are really cold. In the Florida sunshine, the tanks get warm, the propellants warm, and turn into a gas. If not vented, the pressure builds and kaboom. That's why you see what looks like steam venting from a rocket.
The propellants are topped off as they boil away. If they can't top off, eventually the upper stage won't have enough propellant to reach ISS.
#Space #SpaceCoast #NASA #Boeing #Starliner #CFT
The speculation is that the problem is not with the O2 or LH2 valves, but with "instrumentation" monitoring the valves. There's talk about a "redundant" monitoring system. In the meantime, #ULA is not topping off the tanks because they can't monitor them.
#Space #SpaceCoast #NASA #Boeing #Starliner #CFT
#ULA says they've re-established topping of the liquid oxygen tank on the upper stage, now working the liquid hydrogen. They still have about 80 minutes until launch time.
#Space #SpaceCoast #NASA #Boeing #Starliner #CFT
#ULA has resolved the anomaly with the upper-stage valve sensors and has resumed topping off of the propellant tanks. Still targeting 12:25 PM EDT for launch.
#Space #SpaceCoast #NASA #Boeing #Starliner #CFT
The NASA commentator said they're planning on "quiescent operations" at #ISS.
I don't think that means what he thinks it means. 🤔
#Space #SpaceCoast #NASA #Boeing #Starliner #CFT
A reminder that you can watch today's crew launch on the NASA TV YouTube channel. Still targeting 12:25 PM EDT / 9:25 AM PDT.
