{{Current spaceflight|article|date=May 2024}} {{Short description|Planned first crewed flight of Boeing Starliner}} {{Use American English|date=July 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox spaceflight | name = Boeing Crew Flight Test | names_list = Boe-CFT{{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/nac-may2023-iss-final3-tagged.pdf|title=International Space Station Status|publisher=NASA|access-date=13 April 2024}} | image = File:NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test (NHQ202405040026).jpg | image_caption = Boeing Starliner CFT on pad undergoing pre-launch preparations | mission_type = [[ISS]] crew transport test | operator = [[Boeing Defense, Space & Security|Boeing]] | COSPAR_ID = | SATCAT = | website = | mission_duration = ~8 days (planned) | spacecraft = [[Boeing Starliner Calypso|Starliner ''Calypso'']] | spacecraft_type = [[Boeing Starliner|Starliner]] | manufacturer = [[Boeing Defense, Space & Security|Boeing]] | launch_date = {{Abbr|TBD|To be determined}} | launch_rocket = [[Atlas V]] N22 | launch_site = [[Cape Canaveral Space Force Station|Cape Canaveral]], [[Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] | launch_contractor = [[United Launch Alliance]] | landing_date = {{Abbr|TBD|To be determined}} | landing_site = [[White Sands Missile Range]] | crew_size = 2 | crew_members = {{Unbulleted list|[[Barry E. Wilmore]]|[[Sunita Williams]]}} | crew_callsign = | docking = {{Infobox spaceflight/Dock | docking_target = [[International Space Station]] | docking_type = dock | docking_port = ''[[Harmony (ISS module)|Harmony]]'' forward | docking_date = TBD (planned) | undocking_date = TBD (planned) | time_docked = TBD (planned) }} | orbit_reference = [[Geocentric orbit]] | orbit_regime = [[Low Earth orbit]] | orbit_inclination = 51.66° | apsis = gee | insignia = Boeing Starliner Crewed Flight Test Patch.jpg | insignia_caption = Boeing Crew Flight Test Patch | insignia_size = 200px | crew_photo = Boeing CFT Crew Portrait - Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore (KSC-20240404-PH-NAS01 0001).jpg | crew_photo_caption = Williams (left) and Wilmore (Right) | crew_photo_size = 300px | programme = '''[[Commercial Crew Development]]''' | previous_mission = [[Boeing Orbital Flight Test 2|Boeing OFT 2]] | next_mission = | programme2 = '''[[Boeing Starliner#List of flights|Boeing Starliner flights]]''' | previous_mission2 = [[Boeing Orbital Flight Test 2|Boeing OFT 2]] | next_mission2 = [[Boeing Starliner-1]] }} '''Boeing Crew Flight Test''' ('''Boe-CFT''') will be the first crewed mission of the [[Boeing Starliner]] and the third orbital flight test of the Starliner overall after the two uncrewed orbital flight tests, [[Boeing Orbital Flight Test|Boe-OFT]] and [[Boeing Orbital Flight Test 2|Boe-OFT 2]] in 2019 and 2022. The flight was scheduled for liftoff at 2:34 AM on 7 May UTC time (May 6, 2024 at 10:34 PM EDT time), but was scrubbed about two hours before liftoff.{{Cite news |last=Speck |first=Emilee |date=2024-05-05 |title=Watch live: Boeing Starliner ready to launch NASA astronauts from Florida |url=https://www.foxweather.com/earth-space/boeing-starliner-nasa-astronaut-launch-cft |access-date=2024-05-07 |work=[[Fox Weather]] |language=en-US}}{{cite web |author = William Harwood |date = May 6, 2024 |title = Starliner launch scrubbed by trouble with a valve in the Atlas 5’s Centaur upper stage |url = https://spaceflightnow.com/2024/05/07/starliner-launch-scrubbed-by-trouble-with-a-valve-in-the-atlas-5s-centaur-upper-stage/ |work = Spaceflight Now |access-date = May 6, 2024 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240507022259/https://spaceflightnow.com/2024/05/07/starliner-launch-scrubbed-by-trouble-with-a-valve-in-the-atlas-5s-centaur-upper-stage/ |archive-date = May 7, 2024 |url-status = live}} The first crewed test flight test was initially planned to occur in 2017.{{cite news|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2014/09/16/boeing-and-spacex-selected-to-build-americas-new-crew-space-transportation-system/|title=Boeing and SpaceX Selected to Build America's New Crew Space Transportation System|publisher=NASA|date=September 16, 2014|access-date=April 1, 2023}} Various delays pushed the launch of the CFT mission to no earlier than 21 July 2023, but Boeing announced in August 2023 that it would be delayed to no earlier than March 2024 due to issues with the parachute system and wiring harnesses and further investigations.{{cite news |last1=Berger |first1=Eric |title=Starliner undergoing three independent investigations as flight slips to 2024|url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2023/08/starliner-undergoing-three-independent-investigations-as-flight-slips-to-2024/ |work=Ars Technica |date=August 7, 2023 |language=en-us}} The mission will entail flying a crew of two NASA astronauts to the [[International Space Station]] for a one-week test flight, and then returning the crew via a ground-landing in the American Southwest. The spacecraft was integrated with the Atlas launch vehicle on 16 April 2024 in preparation for launch.{{Cite web |title=Boeing, ULA roll Starliner spacecraft out to pad 41 ahead of Crew Flight Test launch in May – Spaceflight Now |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2024/04/16/boeing-ula-roll-starliner-spacecraft-out-to-pad-41-ahead-of-crew-flight-test-launch-in-may/ |access-date=2024-04-16 |language=en-US}} == Capsule == CFT will be the second mission for the Starliner Calypso capsule, which was first used on the first OFT mission. NASA announced that Boeing prepared to reassemble the vehicle for flight, following multiple checkouts, for the CFT mission in August 2020, and that new parachutes and airbags would be fitted. The CFT capsule's docking system was modified to accommodate the new re-entry cover that debuted on the OFT 2 test flight. == Crew == [[Nicole Aunapu Mann]] was initially assigned to this mission, which would have made her the first woman to fly on the maiden crewed flight of an orbital spacecraft, but was subsequently reassigned to the [[SpaceX Crew-5]] mission as the first female commander of a NASA [[Commercial Crew Program]] launch. Due to medical reasons, [[Eric Boe]], who was originally assigned to the mission in August 2018 as pilot was replaced by [[Michael Fincke]] on 22 January 2019. Boe will replace Fincke as the assistant to the chief for commercial crew in the astronaut office at NASA's [[Johnson Space Center]]. Boeing astronaut [[Christopher Ferguson|Chris Ferguson]] was originally assigned to the flight as commander, but he was replaced by NASA astronaut [[Barry E. Wilmore|Barry Wilmore]] on 7 October 2020. Ferguson cited family reasons for the replacement. [[Matthew Dominick]] replaced him on the backup crew. On 18 April 2022, NASA said that it had not finalized which of the cadre of Starliner astronauts, including [[Barry Wilmore]], [[Michael Fincke]], and [[Sunita Williams]], will fly on this mission or the first operational Starliner mission. On 16 June 2022, NASA confirmed that this CFT mission will be a two-person flight test, consisting of Wilmore and Williams; Fincke is to train as the backup spacecraft test pilot and remains eligible for assignment to a future mission.{{Cite web |last=Potter |first=Sean |date=2022-06-16 |title=NASA Updates Astronaut Assignments for Boeing Starliner Test Flight |url=http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-updates-astronaut-assignments-for-boeing-starliner-test-flight |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=NASA}} Williams is expected to become the first woman to fly on the maiden crewed flight of an orbital spacecraft type ([[Judith Resnik]] was the first female crew member on the maiden flight of an orbital spacecraft, the [[Space Shuttle]] [[Space Shuttle Discovery|''Discovery'']], followed by [[Kathryn Thornton]] on [[Space Shuttle Endeavour|''Endeavour'']], [[Shannon Walker]] on [[SpaceX Dragon 2|Crew Dragon]] [[Crew Dragon Resilience|''Resilience'']], [[Kayla Barron]] on [[Crew Dragon Endurance|''Endurance'']], and [[Samantha Cristoforetti]] and [[Jessica Watkins]] on [[Crew Dragon Freedom|''Freedom'']]). {{Spaceflight crew |crew = prime |terminology = Crew member |position1 = Spacecraft Commander |crew1_up = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Barry Eugene Wilmore]] |agency1_up = [[NASA]] |flights1_up = Third |expedition1_up = |position2 = Pilot |crew2_up = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Sunita Williams]] |agency2_up = [[NASA]] |flights2_up = Third |expedition2_up = }} {{Spaceflight crew |crew = backup |terminology = Crew member |position1 = Spacecraft Commander |crew1_up = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Michael Fincke]] |agency1_up = [[NASA]] |flights1_up = |expedition1_up = }} == Mission == The third launch of the [[Atlas V]] N22 variant will launch Starliner with a crew of two. The vehicle will dock with the [[International Space Station]], and return to [[Earth]] under parachutes for a ground-landing in the United States. The capsule will approach the ground at approximately {{convert|4|mph}}, and will land on six inflatable air bags. The capsule has been refurbished for its second flight. It was originally flown on the first OFT mission for the Starliner capsule. This will be the first launch of a crewed spacecraft by an Atlas V launch vehicle. In addition, Boe-CFT will be the first launch of a crewed spacecraft utilising a member of the [[Atlas (rocket family)|Atlas]] family of launch vehicles since [[Project Mercury]] in the early 1960's,{{cite news |last=Sloan |first=Kaycee |url=https://www.wfla.com/glance-at-the-galaxy/astronauts-to-launch-from-cape-canaveral-for-first-human-spaceflight-in-nearly-56-years/ |title=Astronauts to launch from Cape Canaveral for first human spaceflight in nearly 56 years |work=[[WFLA-TV]] |date=2024-05-01 |access-date=2024-05-03}} and the first launch of a crewed spacecraft from [[Cape Canaveral Space Force Station]] since that of [[Apollo 7]] in October 1968. Based upon current space station resources and scheduling needs, a short duration mission with two astronaut test pilots is sufficient to meet all NASA and Boeing test objectives for CFT, which include demonstrating Starliner's ability to safely fly operational crewed missions to and from the space station. To protect against unforeseen events with crew transportation to and from the station, NASA may extend the duration of the CFT docking for up to six months. == See also == {{Portal|Spaceflight}} * [[Commercial Crew Development]] * [[SpaceX Dragon 2]] * [[Crew Dragon Demo-2]], SpaceX's first crewed mission of their capsule == References == {{Reflist|refs= {{cite news |last1=Evans |first1=Ben |title=Lindgren, Hines Assigned to Crew-4 Dragon Mission, Will Launch Next Year |url=https://www.americaspace.com/2021/02/13/lindgren-hines-assigned-to-crew-4-dragon-mission-will-launch-next-year/ |access-date=18 May 2022 |work=AmericaSpace.com |date=13 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518113036/https://www.americaspace.com/2021/02/13/lindgren-hines-assigned-to-crew-4-dragon-mission-will-launch-next-year/ |archive-date=18 May 2022 |url-status=live }} {{cite press release|url=https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-announces-updated-crew-assignment-for-boeing-flight-test|title=NASA Announces Updated Crew Assignment for Boeing Flight Test|last=Granath|first=Bob|date=22 January 2019|publisher=NASA|access-date=24 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518113335/https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-announces-updated-crew-assignment-for-boeing-flight-test/ |archive-date=18 May 2022 |url-status=live }} {{PD-notice}} {{cite press release|url=https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-announces-astronaut-changes-for-upcoming-commercial-crew-missions |title=NASA Announces Astronaut Changes for Upcoming Commercial Crew Missions |date=6 October 2021 |last1=Potter |first1=Sean |publisher=NASA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518114054/https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-announces-astronaut-changes-for-upcoming-commercial-crew-missions |archive-date=18 May 2022 |url-status=live }} {{cite news|last1=Roulette|first1=Joey|title=Boeing's top Starliner astronaut pulls out of space mission role|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN26S2IC|work=Reuters|date=7 October 2020|access-date=7 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518112633/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN26S2IC |archive-date=18 May 2022 |url-status=live }} {{cite news|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/08/25/boeing-plans-second-starliner-test-flight-in-december-or-january/|title=Boeing plans second Starliner test flight in December 2020 or January 2021|last1=Clark |first1=Stephen|work=Spaceflight Now|date=25 August 2020|access-date=26 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518113810/https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/08/25/boeing-plans-second-starliner-test-flight-in-december-or-january/ |archive-date=18 May 2022 |url-status=live }} {{Cite news |last=Clark |first=Stephen |title=Starliner astronauts eager to see results of crew capsule test flight|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/05/18/starliner-astronauts-eager-to-see-results-of-crew-capsule-test-flight/ |date=18 May 2022 |access-date=19 May 2022 |work=Spaceflight Now |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523130644/https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/05/18/starliner-astronauts-eager-to-see-results-of-crew-capsule-test-flight/ |archive-date=23 May 2022 |url-status=live }} {{cite web |last=Foust |first=Jeff |url=https://spacenews.com/starliner-crewed-test-flight-delayed-to-july/ |title=Starliner crewed test flight delayed to July |work=[[SpaceNews]] |date=29 March 2023 |access-date=30 March 2023}} }} {{Starliner spaceflights}} {{Manned ISS flights}} {{Future spaceflights}} [[Category:Boeing Starliner]] [[Category:2024 in spaceflight]] [[Category:Future human spaceflights]] [[Category:2024 in the United States]]