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UPDATE: NASA and Boeing to Stream Flight Test Mission Briefing on NASA+
On Thursday, July 25, at 11:30 a.m. EDT, NASA and Boeing will hold an important news conference to discuss the latest updates regarding the Boeing Crew Flight Test aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This briefing is a significant step forward in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program and will now be streamed live on various platforms, including NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency’s official website.
What to Expect in the Briefing
Instead of the initially planned audio-only teleconference, this live briefing will provide a more engaging way for the public to follow the discussion. Attendees can expect insights from key mission leaders, including:
- Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program
- Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager for Boeing’s Commercial Crew Program
These leaders will share updates on the mission status, including recent testing achievements and what they mean for future space travel.
Recent Testing Milestones
One of the recent highlights in the mission’s preparation was the successful completion of ground hot fire testing for a Starliner reaction control system thruster at the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico. During these tests, engineers simulated the conditions that the spacecraft will experience during its approach to the ISS. They also conducted various stress tests to prepare for critical moments during the mission, such as undocking from the ISS and the deorbit burn, which positions the spacecraft for a safe landing in the southwestern United States.
As the engineering teams analyze the data collected from these tests, initial findings will be discussed during the briefing, helping to shed light on Starliner’s readiness for upcoming missions.
Current Mission Status
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are currently aboard the ISS, having arrived on June 6 following their launch on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Since joining the Expedition 71 crew, they have been engaged in vital scientific research and maintenance tasks aboard the space station.
This mission serves as an end-to-end test of the Starliner system, and a successful return to Earth will be a crucial step toward certifying Starliner for future rotational missions to the ISS. This initiative is part of NASA’s broader strategy to collaborate with American private industry, thereby opening up low Earth orbit and the space station to more people, scientific research, and commercial opportunities.
Media Participation
For media representatives interested in attending the briefing in person, please contact the newsroom at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston by 9:30 a.m. EDT on July 25. Those wishing to participate via phone must reach out to either NASA Johnson or NASA’s Kennedy Space Center by 10:30 a.m. that same day.
Stay Informed
This upcoming briefing is a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in the future of human spaceflight. We encourage you to tune in to learn more about NASA and Boeing’s ongoing efforts to advance space exploration. Be sure to follow NASA on social media for updates and insights as we continue to explore the final frontier together!
For NASA’s blog and more information about the mission, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew
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