Commercial space flight is within reach. All manner of private companies are in a race to get the first commericial space flight passengers into orbit. And, on Friday December 20th, Boeing will be testing their Boeing Starliner (CST-100) commercial craft in its maiden mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
The unmanned orbital flight test is a part of NASA‘s Commercial Crew Program. Though it won’t be bringing passengers into space on this flight, it is scheduled to carry over 600 lbs of supplies and equipment to the space station. This flight will also give NASA and Boeing invaluable information on the functionality of the Atlas V Rocket, which will take the Starliner into orbit, the end-to-end capabilities of both crafts, ground systems and docking and landing operations.
NASA will cover the whole operation over the course of the week. So, tune in to NASA TV to catch the process as it unfolds. Here’s the schedule according to nasa.gov:
Tuesday, Dec. 17
2 p.m. (no earlier than) – Prelaunch briefing from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Participants include:
- Kathy Lueders, manager, NASA Commercial Crew Program
- Joel Montalbano, deputy manager, International Space Station Program
- John Mulholland, vice president and program manager, Boeing Commercial Crew Program
- John Elbon, chief operating officer, United Launch Alliance
- Pat Forrester, astronaut office chief, Johnson Space Center
- Will Ulrich, launch weather officer, 45th Weather Squadron
Thursday, Dec. 19
9:30 a.m. – NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine near the Countdown Clock with:
- Robert Cabana, director, Kennedy Space Center
- Mike Fincke, NASA Astronaut, Starliner Crew Flight Test
- Nicole Mann, NASA Astronaut, Starliner Crew Flight Test
- Chris Ferguson, Boeing Astronaut, Starliner Crew Flight Test
- Suni Williams, NASA Astronaut, Starliner first operational mission crew
- Josh Cassada, NASA Astronaut, Starliner first operational mission crew
Friday, Dec. 20
5:30 a.m. – NASA TV launch coverage begins for the 6:36 a.m. launch.
9 a.m. – Administrator postlaunch news conference. Participants include:
- NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine
- Jim Chilton, Boeing senior vice president, Space and Launch Division
- Astronauts Chris Ferguson, Mike Fincke, and Nicole Mann
9:30 a.m. – Launch team postlaunch news conference
- Steve Stich, deputy manager, NASA Commercial Crew Program
- Boeing representative (to be determined)
- ULA representative (to be determined)
- Kirk Shireman, manager, International Space Station Program
Saturday, Dec. 21
5 a.m. – Coverage of rendezvous, docking and hatch opening
Friday, Dec. 27
8:15 a.m. – Coverage of hatch closing
11:45 p.m. – Coverage of undocking
Saturday, Dec. 28
4:30 a.m. – Coverage of deorbit and landing begins
Start saving your pennies in the hundred millions! It’s time to go to space!
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