Things I would not do.
Right now I'd have more confidence getting on an Aeroflot-operated Tu-154 than that.
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Given that the last flight was at best an ignoble failure, burning all its propellant due to software issues and leaving it unable to reach the ISS, and that the subsequent NASA investigation tore Boeing a new arsehole as a result, I'm staggered that Boeing aren't being compelled to demonstrate a successful autonomous flight to the ISS prior to a manned flight.
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wheresthefish Partly filled with wrong, Tue 7 May 2024, 10:44,
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They were. The last flight was fine
with just a few minor bugs and issues, certainly nothing that would have endangered the crew: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_Orbital_Flight_Test_2
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brb pussy in bio, Tue 7 May 2024, 14:57,
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No safety of flight issues discovered during that flight
Two discovered post-flight though. Two separate issues with the parachute system so both very definitely safety of flight issues that were present during that flight and were absolutely a danger to the crew.
I remain unconvinced.
(edit)
One with the parachute cords, and the other with potentially flammable wiring.
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wheresthefish Partly filled with wrong, Tue 7 May 2024, 18:48,
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Well they always say
that lots of problems in the automated flights could have been dealt with or even fixed by the crew (assuming they've told the crew how to prevent the autopilot from murdering them 737Max-style).
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brb pussy in bio, Tue 7 May 2024, 19:10,
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Not sure how you fix the parachute cords snapping on descent
You could try praying I suppose.
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wheresthefish Partly filled with wrong, Tue 7 May 2024, 20:03,
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It can land on just one parachute though right?
And it has 3 in case 2 fail, which is wise because Boeing.
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brb pussy in bio, Tue 7 May 2024, 20:31,
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That was the design intent
It wasn't the case though:
"The issues seem rather serious to have been discovered weeks before Starliner was due to launch on an Atlas V rocket. The first involves "soft links" in the lines that run from Starliner to its parachutes. Boeing discovered that these were not as strong as previously believed.
During a normal flight, these substandard links would not be an issue. But Starliner's parachute system is designed to land a crew safely in case one of the three parachutes fails. However, due to the lower failure load limit with these soft links, if one parachute fails, it's possible the lines between the spacecraft and its remaining two parachutes would snap due to the extra strain.
The second issue involves P-213 glass cloth tape that is wrapped around wiring harnesses throughout the vehicle. These cables run everywhere, and Nappi said there are hundreds of feet of these wiring harnesses. The tape is intended to protect the wiring from nicks. However, during recent tests, it was discovered that under certain circumstances possible in flight, this tape is flammable."
From Ars Technica
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wheresthefish Partly filled with wrong, Tue 7 May 2024, 20:39,
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Jebus.
I guess they could recreate the glory days of Gagarin and just have the crew bail out with personal parachutes.
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brb pussy in bio, Tue 7 May 2024, 21:08,
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Thoughts and prayers
- Best protection America can buy!
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Invisible Wizard - 9th Level Pissant, Tue 7 May 2024, 21:52,
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The crew could try shooting any failing parts with guns.
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brb pussy in bio, Wed 8 May 2024, 17:56,
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It's all bollocks anyway.
I'm more concerned about how they're going to simulate the supposed 'curvature of the earth' once they open this up to the public. Lenticular windows would probably be the simplest solution, but surely they'll need something more robust than that to keep the wool pulled over the sheeple's eyes.
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