United Launch Alliance (ULA) has concluded an Atlas V launch segment design certification review (DCR) designed for Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft.
The spacecraft is expected to carry astronauts to the International Space Station onboard a ULA Atlas V rocket from the US.
The recently completed Atlas V DCR was conducted to support the Boeing International Space Station (ISS) DCR, which was held last month with Nasa at Kennedy Space Center in the US.
“The design certification review is a significant milestone that completes the design phase of the programme, paving the way for operations.”
ULA Commercial Crew programme manager Barb Egan said: “The design certification review is a significant milestone that completes the design phase of the programme, paving the way for operations.
“Hardware and software final qualification tests are underway, as well as a major integrated test series, including structural loads.
“Future tests will involve launch vehicle hardware such as jettison tests, acoustic tests, and, finally, a pad abort test in White Sands, New Mexico.”
ULA is also involved in the production of a launch vehicle that intends to undergo an unmanned orbital flight test (OFT) in August.
The OFT booster for the upcoming unmanned flight is currently in final assembly phase at ULA’s factory in Decatur, Alabama, US. ULA has also completed pressure testing for the OFT Centaur upper stage.
Other hardware such as the launch vehicle adapter and aeroskirt production are ongoing to support test articles and flight.
ULA has so far launched more than 120 satellites into orbit to help meteorologists to track severe weather, provide critical capabilities for troops in the field, and enable GPS navigation and other missions.
