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The Boeing Pad Abort Test (also abbreviated to Boe-PAT) was a test of the
Boeing CST-100 Starliner The Boeing CST-100 Starliner
 is a class of two partially After a successful launch, only two of three main parachutes deployed. Despite this, NASA and Boeing deemed the test a success, as Starliner was designed to function on two parachutes if necessary.


History

In September 2011, Boeing announced the completion of a set of ground drop tests to validate the design of the airbag cushioning system. In May 2019, all major hotfire tests, were completed using full-up flight-capable service module hardware. This cleared the way for the pad abort test and the subsequent uncrewed and crewed flights. The pad abort test took place on 4 November 2019. The abort motors fired nominally, followed by a clean service module separation. One of the three parachutes failed to deploy, and the capsule landed with only two parachutes. The airbag cushion helped break the harder-than-expected fall, and the landing was deemed to be safe. NASA declared the test a success, and the malfunction of one parachute didn't affect the Starliner development schedule. The malfunction was found to be human error. A pin meant to connect the pilot chute to the main chute was not properly connected. Therefore the pilot chute was not able to successfully deploy the main chute. Pre-flight inspections did not catch this error due to a protective covering.


See also

* Dragon 2 Pad Abort Test


References


External links

* {{Starliner spaceflights Boeing Starliner Test spaceflights 2019 in spaceflight November 2019 events in the United States