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Here’s How To Watch Boeing’s Starliner Crew Capsule Abort System Test On Monday

The Boeing Starliner crew capsule abort system test is a critical milestone in the development of the Starliner spacecraft. A successful test will pave the way for the first crewed flight of the Starliner, which is scheduled for later this year. Here’s how you can watch the test live on Monday, March 2⁚

  • NASA TV⁚ NASA TV will provide live coverage of the test beginning at 5⁚30 a.m. EDT (09⁚30 UTC). You can watch NASA TV online at https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/.
  • Boeing website⁚ Boeing will also provide live coverage of the test on its website at https://www.boeing.com/space/starliner/.
  • Social media⁚ NASA and Boeing will be sharing updates on the test on social media. Follow NASA on Twitter at @NASA and Boeing at @BoeingSpace.

What Is The Boeing Starliner Crew Capsule Abort System Test?

The Boeing Starliner crew capsule abort system test is a critical milestone in the development of the Starliner spacecraft. The test will demonstrate the ability of the abort system to safely separate the crew capsule from the launch vehicle in the event of an emergency. A successful test will pave the way for the first crewed flight of the Starliner, which is scheduled for later this year.

The abort system consists of four solid rocket motors that are mounted on the sides of the crew capsule. In the event of an emergency, the abort motors would fire to separate the crew capsule from the launch vehicle and propel it to a safe distance. The crew capsule would then deploy its parachutes and land in the ocean.

The abort system test will be conducted at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The test will involve launching a Starliner crew capsule on a modified Atlas V rocket. The abort system will be activated shortly after launch, and the crew capsule will separate from the launch vehicle and land in the desert.

The abort system test is a critical step in the development of the Starliner spacecraft. A successful test will give NASA and Boeing confidence that the abort system is capable of safely protecting the crew in the event of an emergency.

Here are some additional details about the abort system test⁚

  • The test will be conducted at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
  • The test will involve launching a Starliner crew capsule on a modified Atlas V rocket.
  • The abort system will be activated shortly after launch, and the crew capsule will separate from the launch vehicle and land in the desert.
  • The test will be conducted without a crew on board.
  • A successful test will pave the way for the first crewed flight of the Starliner, which is scheduled for later this year.

When And Where Is The Test Taking Place?

The Boeing Starliner crew capsule abort system test will take place on Monday, March 2, 2023 at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

The test will be conducted at White Sands Missile Range because it is a large, remote area that is ideal for testing rockets and other aerospace vehicles. The range has been used for a variety of tests, including the development of the Apollo spacecraft and the Space Shuttle.

The test will involve launching a Starliner crew capsule on a modified Atlas V rocket. The abort system will be activated shortly after launch, and the crew capsule will separate from the launch vehicle and land in the desert.

The test will be conducted without a crew on board. However, there will be a test dummy inside the crew capsule to collect data on the forces experienced during the abort.

The test is scheduled to begin at 5⁚30 a.m. EDT (09⁚30 UTC). However, the time may change depending on weather and other factors.

Here is a summary of the key details about the test⁚

  • Date⁚ Monday, March 2, 2023
  • Time⁚ 5⁚30 a.m. EDT (09⁚30 UTC)
  • Location⁚ White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico
  • Test vehicle⁚ Starliner crew capsule on a modified Atlas V rocket
  • Purpose⁚ To demonstrate the ability of the abort system to safely separate the crew capsule from the launch vehicle in the event of an emergency

How To Watch The Test Live

The Boeing Starliner crew capsule abort system test will be broadcast live on NASA TV, Boeing’s website, and social media.

NASA TV⁚ NASA TV will provide live coverage of the test beginning at 5⁚30 a.m. EDT (09⁚30 UTC). You can watch NASA TV online at https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/.

Boeing website⁚ Boeing will also provide live coverage of the test on its website at https://www.boeing.com/space/starliner/.

Social media⁚ NASA and Boeing will be sharing updates on the test on social media. Follow NASA on Twitter at @NASA and Boeing at @BoeingSpace.

In addition to the live broadcasts, NASA and Boeing will also be providing commentary and analysis of the test on their websites and social media channels.

Here are some tips for watching the test live⁚

  • Make sure you have a stable internet connection.
  • Choose a quiet place where you can focus on the broadcast.
  • Have some snacks and drinks on hand.
  • Be patient. The test may take several hours to complete.

We hope you enjoy watching the Boeing Starliner crew capsule abort system test!

What To Expect During The Test

The Boeing Starliner crew capsule abort system test is a critical milestone in the development of the Starliner spacecraft. The test will demonstrate the ability of the abort system to safely separate the crew capsule from the launch vehicle in the event of an emergency.

The test will take place at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. A Starliner crew capsule will be mounted on a launch vehicle and then launched. Shortly after launch, the abort system will be activated, and the crew capsule will separate from the launch vehicle and ascend to an altitude of about 30,000 feet.

The crew capsule will then deploy its parachutes and land in the desert. The entire test is expected to take about five minutes.

During the test, engineers will be monitoring the performance of the abort system and the crew capsule. They will be looking for any anomalies or problems that could affect the safety of the system.

A successful test will pave the way for the first crewed flight of the Starliner, which is scheduled for later this year.

Here is a more detailed breakdown of what to expect during the test⁚

  1. The test will begin with the launch of the Starliner crew capsule on a launch vehicle.
  2. Shortly after launch, the abort system will be activated, and the crew capsule will separate from the launch vehicle.
  3. The crew capsule will then ascend to an altitude of about 30,000 feet.
  4. The crew capsule will then deploy its parachutes and land in the desert.

The entire test is expected to take about five minutes.

What Happens If The Test Is Successful?

If the Boeing Starliner crew capsule abort system test is successful, it will pave the way for the first crewed flight of the Starliner spacecraft later this year.

A successful test will demonstrate that the abort system is capable of safely separating the crew capsule from the launch vehicle in the event of an emergency. This is a critical safety feature for any spacecraft, and it is essential to ensure that the system is working properly before any crew members are put at risk.

In addition to paving the way for the first crewed flight of the Starliner, a successful test will also provide valuable data to engineers. The data will be used to refine the design of the abort system and to improve the safety of the Starliner spacecraft.

Here are some of the specific benefits of a successful test⁚

  • It will demonstrate that the abort system is capable of safely separating the crew capsule from the launch vehicle in the event of an emergency.
  • It will provide valuable data to engineers that can be used to refine the design of the abort system and to improve the safety of the Starliner spacecraft.
  • It will pave the way for the first crewed flight of the Starliner spacecraft later this year.

A successful test is a critical milestone in the development of the Starliner spacecraft. It will bring us one step closer to the day when humans can once again launch from American soil on a spacecraft built by an American company.