Tag: CCP
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Starliner meets milestones as ULA switches Atlas booster for maiden flight
As Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner crew transportation vehicle for NASA continues to meet its processing milestones at the Kennedy Space Center and various test sites around the country, United Launch Alliance, the company tasked with launching Starliner on its journey toward the International Space Station, has made the decision to swap the Atlas booster that will…
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Commercial Crew providers making “significant progress” toward first flights
As the mid-way point of 2017 arrives, both of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program service providers are making significant progress toward the first uncrewed test flights of their Dragon and Starliner capsules. At their second quarter 2017 meeting, the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel noted this progress while also discussing outstanding concerns regarding the program and vehicles…
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Commercial Crew on tight but achievable timeline for crewed flights in 2018
The long and arduous process of achieving commercial crew transportation services to space is closing in on an important milestone. At a recent update to the NASA Advisory Council, NASA’s commercial crew transportation services program manager discussed numerous aspects to SpaceX and Boeing’s progress over the last few months and revealed that, while the timeline is…
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Chute tests for Starliner as ASAP worry about RD-180 certification
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is progressing through a series of parachute drop tests, refining the technology for returning the spacecraft back home safely. However, NASA’s safety advisory body has cited certification concerns about a major element for the spacecraft’s ride to space, specifically the RD-180 engine used by the Atlas V launch vehicle. Starliner: The traditionally…
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Commercial rotation plans firming up as US Segment crew to increase early
With Dragon now returned to flight and safely berthed to the ISS, time is ticking closer to the start of commercial crew transportation services to the station. In line with this, NASA’s plans for future crew rotations are solidifying, as opportunities have emerged to increase NASA’s crew count earlier than planned. Commercial crew schedule: The…
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NASA classes MMOD as primary threat to commercial crew vehicles
NASA has claimed the threat of MicroMeteoroid and Orbital Debris (MMOD) – small pieces of space debris capable of punching bullet hole wounds into spacecraft – is the “primary” threat to the safety of Commercial Crew vehicles. The claim was made as the Agency works on closing the gap between the current analysis of the…
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Pad hardware changes preview new era for Space Coast
Ongoing work at the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral is continuing to lay the groundwork to once again launch American astronauts from home soil. While the huge Pad 39B equipment enters a critical period of testing at KSC for the Space Launch System, the Crew Access Arm and White Room is scheduled to be…
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NASA positive over synergistic approach for Dream Chaser goals
SNC’s Dream Chaser crew vehicle is preparing for another California adventure, highlighted by a second free flight, approach and landing test in December. Although she was rejected by NASA as a Commercial Crew partner, the Agency is deeply invested in the vehicle’s test program, classing it as “synergistic” with her cargo carrying sister that has…
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SpaceX discusses progress toward human missions of Dragon/Falcon 9
While continuing to impress even themselves with their ability to successfully propulsively land Falcon 9 first stages on land and in the ocean, SpaceX is continuing to progress on its human spaceflight endeavors, with the company’s Dragon spacecraft, Falcon 9, and ground operations development all keeping pace for a second quarter 2017 debut of the…
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Second Starliner at KSC as Boeing outlines progress at Space Tech Expo
As construction on the second CST-100 Starliner for Boeing’s Commercial Crew Transportation initiative continues in the Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at the Kennedy Space Center, Boeing has outlined its progress to date as well as future milestones in the coming two years as the company deepens construction of the first four Starliner modules…