#1
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First Flight of CST-100 Starliner
Mixed emotions today. The ULA portion of the flight was as good as it gets. As our CEO stated, we literally hit the bullseye. So many first-flight items on this mission too - so this was by no means a foregone conclusion. Sadly, it appears the Starliner flight computer wasn't set properly and their orbital insertion burn went badly. Don't know if this means another uncrewed flight before flying astronauts. Either way, the next Starliner flight is planned for March or April.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/12/...-status-center/ |
#2
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Why did they hold the SRB's 48 seconds after burnout before jettisoning? Was this just for Starliner or have they been doing it on all Atlas V flights?
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I love sanding. |
#3
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SRBs are often held onto so that when jettisoned they avoid inhabited areas or shipping channels. Out of Vandenberg AFB, CA they are often held because of off-shore oil platforms. The performance lost is worth not dinging someone or something.
Chas
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Charles Russell, MSgt,USAF (ret.) NAR 9790, Lvl 1 SAM "Balls Three" |
#4
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Going to the space station would be a fairly high launch inclination, around 57 degrees or something in that range. Same as the shuttles when they were doing flights to the ISS. Went almost right up, or just off, the east coast.
But the shuttles dropped their SRBs on those missions at the same point they did during their ‘regular’ missions. But, the shuttles may have been ‘farther out’ by SRB sep time than this CST flight. Not sure. Earl
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Earl L. Cagle, Jr. NAR# 29523 TRA# 962 SAM# 73 Owner/Producer Point 39 Productions Rocket-Brained Since 1970 |
#5
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Quote:
"Aerodynamic" configuration of Starliner (or, more accurately, lack thereof - so blunt, no aerospike) leads to high dynamic pressure. RD-180 was throttled down a bit more than usual for this reason, but Q remains high - and the high Q is why the solids were held a bit longer. SRBs are jettisoned when Q is acceptable. Don't want them coming back at the core stage! True to say VAFB launches of Atlas IIAS held solids to avoid the Channel Islands. In this case, it's all about the Q! |
#6
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And crew capsule down in New Mexico a little earlier this morning. Video was by infrared cameras during the pre-dawn darkness, so there was not a great deal to really 'see' as it descended under chutes, but from what could be seen (and according to the public affairs commentary) it seemed nominal.
Earl
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Earl L. Cagle, Jr. NAR# 29523 TRA# 962 SAM# 73 Owner/Producer Point 39 Productions Rocket-Brained Since 1970 |
#7
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Really cool on-board video from Boeing. I especially like the "Space Snoopy" in the second seat!
https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/01/...al-test-flight/ |
#8
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I know this is a Starliner thread, but let's not forget the Space-X Crew Dragon in-flight abort test Saturday morning. Things are looking up for weaning ourselves from Russia!
BTW, I like Snoopy's space suit. Nice touch. .
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I love sanding. |
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