3 ms·

so do they just use the starliner to dispose of trash and burn up in earth orbit? Or will they put boilerplate in it and test re-entry anyways?

• 0cf8612b2e1e 2y ago
  At one point, they were not even sure it could be detached from the space station. Due to hilarious reasons(?), the autopilot module which performs the job was not installed on the ship carrying crew.
  • sidewndr46 2y ago
    Wait, you're saying the craft had the capacity to dock but they were unsure if it could undock? Was it because the thrusters couldn't be sure to safely put distance between it and the ISS?
    • 0cf8612b2e1e 2y ago
      The craft automated/remote (?) docking software was not installed. Craft requires a pilot to manually disengage from the ISS. Presumably nobody now wants a pilot to undock the station, abandon the craft, and then untethered space walk/fly back to the ISS. Here was a story I quickly found. Software does exist and can be loaded, but was not installed when this entire thing began https://simpleflying.com/boeing-starliner-undocking-software-issue-nasa-astronaut-return/ https://simpleflying.com/boeing-starliner-undocking-software... … Additionally, it has emerged that Starliner's flight software is not capable of undocking autonomously, raising the risk of losing the spacecraft entirely if it is not flown back manually.