Mission Objective
The Boeing Orbital Flight Test-2 (Boe-OFT-2) was the second uncrewed flight of the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, conducted under NASA's Commercial Crew Program. The mission aimed to demonstrate Starliner's capabilities in autonomous flight, docking, re-entry, and landing, following the incomplete objectives of the initial Orbital Flight Test. A successful mission would pave the way for future crewed missions to the International Space Station (ISS).
All primary test objectives were successfully achieved, with Starliner demonstrating safe rendezvous and docking with the ISS, as well as a safe return and landing.
Mission Highlights
Boe-OFT-2 launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Space Launch Complex 41 on May 19, 2022, at 6:54 p.m. EDT, aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. After separation from the launch vehicle, Starliner performed an orbital insertion burn, successfully entering its planned orbit.
The spacecraft autonomously docked with the ISS on May 20, 2022, at approximately 8:28 p.m. EDT, marking a significant milestone in validating its docking capabilities. Starliner remained docked for several days, during which the ISS crew conducted system checkouts and transferred cargo.
On May 25, 2022, at 2:36 p.m. EDT, Starliner undocked from the ISS and began its return journey. The spacecraft executed a deorbit burn and re-entered Earth's atmosphere, deploying its parachutes and landing safely at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico at 6:49 p.m. EDT. Recovery teams successfully retrieved the capsule for post-mission analysis.
Payload
Crew supplies and equipment to simulate future crewed missions.
Anthropomorphic Test Device (ATD) equipped with sensors to collect data on the environment experienced during the mission.
Prelaunch Milestones
04/2022 – Starliner spacecraft arrives at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
04/2022 – Integration of spacecraft with Atlas V rocket
05/2022 – Flight readiness review
05/2022 – Static fire test completed
Launch
May 19, 2022; 6:54 p.m. EDT
Launch Pad: Space Launch Complex 41 (SLC-41)
Launch Vehicle: Atlas V N22
Spacecraft: CST-100 Starliner
Firing Control: United Launch Alliance Launch Control Center
Orbit
Altitude: ~250 miles (ISS orbit)
Inclination: 51.6 degrees
Duration: Approximately 6 days
Landing
May 25, 2022; 6:49 p.m. EDT
White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico
Recovery Operations: Conducted by Boeing and NASA recovery teams
