{{short description|Abort test of the Boeing Starliner spacecraft}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox spaceflight | name = Boeing Pad Abort Test | names_list = Boe-PAT | image = CST-100 Starliner - Pad Abort Test,49013402052 f3852e9b3d o.jpg | image_caption = Starliner Spacecraft 1 fires its [[RS-88]] abort motors | mission_type = [[Technology demonstration]] | operator = [[Boeing Defense, Space & Security]] | mission_duration = {{time interval|2019-11-4 14:15:00|2019-11-4 14:16:19|show=dhms|sep=,}} | spacecraft = {{ComV|CST-100 Starliner|1}} | spacecraft_type = Boeing Starliner | manufacturer = Boeing Defense, Space & Security | launch_date = 4 November 2019, 14:15:00{{nbsp}}[[UTC]]<ref>{{cite web |last=Clark |first=Stephen |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/12/03/launch-of-starliner-test-flight-slips-to-dec-19/ |title=Launch of first Starliner orbital test flight slips to Dec. 19 |work=Spaceflight Now |date=3 December 2019 |accessdate=3 December 2019}}</ref> | launch_site = [[White Sands Missile Range]] | landing_date = 4 November 2019, 14:16:19{{nbsp}}UTC | landing_site = [[White Sands Missile Range]] | apsis = gee | insignia = Boeing Pad Abort Test.png | programme = '''[[Commercial Crew Development]]''' | previous_mission = [[Crew Dragon Demo-1|SpaceX Demo-1]] | next_mission = [[Boeing Orbital Flight Test|Boeing OFT-1]] | programme2 = [[Boeing Starliner#List of flights|'''Boeing Starliner''' flights]] | next_mission2 = [[Boeing Orbital Flight Test|Boeing OFT-1]] }}
The '''Boeing Pad Abort Test''' (also abbreviated to '''Boe-PAT''') was a test of the [[Boeing CST-100 Starliner]] and its abort motors, conducted by Boeing as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. It was the first flight of Starliner and one of the last milestones ahead of [[Boeing Orbital Flight Test|OFT]]. The mission's main objective was to demonstrate that Starliner could safely pull a crew away from the pad in the event of an emergency prior to liftoff.
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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/05/25/boeings-starliner-crew-capsule-completes-major-propulsion-test/ |title = Boeing's Starliner crew capsule completes major propulsion test – Spaceflight Now}}</ref>
The pad abort test took place on 4 November 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/11/04/boeing-starliner-pad-abort/ |title = Boeing tests crew capsule escape system – Spaceflight Now|work=spaceflightnow.com|language=en-US|access-date=4 November 2019}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/11/starliner-flies-for-the-first-time-but-one-of-its-parachutes-failed-to-deploy/|title=Starliner flies for the first time, but one of its parachutes failed to deploy|date=4 November 2019}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/11/04/boeing-starliner-pad-abort/|title=Boeing tests crew capsule escape system – Spaceflight Now|first=Stephen|last=Clark}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Clark|first=Stephen|title=Boeing identifies cause of chute malfunction, preps for Starliner launch – Spaceflight Now|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/11/07/boeing-identifies-cause-of-chute-malfunction-continues-preps-for-first-starliner-launch/|access-date=24 June 2020|language=en-US}}</ref>
== See also == * [[Dragon 2 Pad Abort Test]]
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == *{{YouTube|L9ifJzokFgA|Boeing Pad Abort Test}} {{Starliner spaceflights}}
[[Category:Boeing Starliner]] [[Category:Test spaceflights]] [[Category:2019 in spaceflight]] [[Category:November 2019 in the United States]] [[Category:Flight abort]]