The primary astronauts set to fly on Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft debuted a new look for their mission patch (opens in new tab) throughout a spacesuit match verify.
Crew Flight Check (CFT) commander Barry “Butch” Wilmore and pilot Suni Williams sported the brand new insignia throughout a validation take a look at at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The two NASA astronauts, together with their backup (opens in new tab) Mike Fincke, suited up and tried out the Starliner’s pressurized crew module to make sure a great seat match, swimsuit performance, audio programs, cabin temperature and day of launch operations.
The take a look at, which Boeing declared a hit, was performed because the Starliner’s crew module neared completion and was thought-about “a measure of confidence” for the astronauts as they proceed to work in direction of their launch, which this month was re-targeted from March to April 2023.
“We’re working to have the CFT automobile able to fly forward of the brand new launch date,” Mark Nappi, Boeing’s vice chairman and program supervisor for the Starliner program, mentioned in a Nov. 3 statement (opens in new tab). “With the assistance of skilled NASA take a look at pilots, Wilmore and Williams, we’re nearer to our purpose of flying a protected and succesful spacecraft.”
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Though the crew validation take a look at was held on Oct. 18, pictures from the occasion had been solely launched by NASA on Monday (Nov. 7). The pictures, which confirmed Wilmore and Williams donning their vibrant blue stress fits, additionally revealed the brand new CFT mission patch.
Formed just like the Boeing Starliner crew capsule with its connected service module, the symbol depicts the spacecraft launching from Earth atop a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket. The crew’s vacation spot, the International Space Station, is sewn in grey, set in opposition to a subject of seven yellow stars and the phrases “Crew Flight Check.”
Learn extra: Boeing Starliner: Live updates
Under the rocket, the patch contains the Starliner logotype and the crew members’ names, Wilmore and Williams, separated by the NASA astronaut image. The whole insignia is printed in an orange border, making it stand out from the blue outer cloth of the crew’s fits.
The brand new patch replaces an emblem first introduced in 2019 (opens in new tab). Created as a part of a set, with every patch representing an uncrewed flight take a look at that preceded the CFT, the unique insignia was designed with the enter of the unique flight crew, which didn’t embody Wilmore or Williams.
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