Boeing Pad Abort Test
{{Infobox spaceflight | name = Boeing Pad Abort Test | image = Boeing Starliner on Launch Complex 32 ahead of Boeing PAT.jpg | image_caption = Boeing Starliner ahead of Pad Abort Test.
| mission_type = Technology demonstration | operator = [[Boeing] | mission_duration = 1m 42s | suborbital_apogee =
| spacecraft = Boeing}} | manufacturer = Boeing
| launch_date = 4 November 2019, 14:15:00 UTC | launch_rocket = Starliner | launch_site = White Sands Missile Range Launch Complex 32 | launch_contractor = Boeing
| landing_date = 4 November 2019, 14:16:42 UTC | landing_site = White Sands Missile Range
| programme = Commercial Crew Development | previous_mission = Crew Dragon Demo-1 | next_mission = Boeing Orbital Flight Test
}}
The Boeing Pad Abort Test was an uncrewed test flight of the engines of the Boeing CST-100 Starliner that launched on 4 November 2019 from White Sands New Mexico. This was the very first flight of Starliner and one of the last milestones ahead of OFT.
History
In May 2019, all major hotfire, including simulations of low-altitude abort thruster testing, was completed using a full up service module test article that was "flight-like", meaning that the service module test rig used in the recent hotfire testing included fuel and helium tanks, reaction control system, orbital maneuvering, and attitude control thrusters, launch abort engines, and all necessary fuel lines and avionics that the ones that will be used for crewed missions will have. This clears the way for the pad abort test and the subsequent uncrewed and crewed flights later.[1] A pad abort test took place on 4 November 2019.[2] The capsule accelerated away from its pad, but then one of the three parachutes failed to deploy and the capsule landed with only two parachutes.[3]·[4] Landing was however deemed safe, and the test a success. Boeing did not expect the malfunction of one parachute to affect the Starliner development schedule.[5]
- ^ "Boeing's Starliner crew capsule completes major propulsion test – Spaceflight Now".
- ^ "Boeing tests crew capsule escape system – Spaceflight Now". spaceflightnow.com. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
- ^ "Starliner flies for the first time, but one of its parachutes failed to deploy". 4 November 2019.
- ^ "Boeing statement regarding CST-100 Starliner pad abort test". 4 November 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
- ^ https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/11/04/boeing-starliner-pad-abort/