Media accreditation now is open for prelaunch and launch activities for NASAs Boeing Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) mission to theInternational Space Station, the second uncrewed flight test of the companys CST-100 Starliner spacecraft for NASAs Commercial Crew Program.
The launch on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is targeted for no earlier than March 25 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The uncrewedmission will test the end-to-endcapabilities of Starlinerand the Atlas V rocket from launch todocking to a return to Earth in thedesert of thewestern UnitedStates. Following a successful completion of the OFT-2 mission, NASA and Boeing are targeting no earlier than September 2021 for NASAs Boeing Crew Flight Test (CFT), Starliners first flight with astronauts aboard.
OFT-2 and CFT will provide valuable data toward NASA certifying Boeings crew transportation system for regular flights with astronauts to and from the space station.
Media also may apply separately for a photo opportunity during the rollout of the Starliner spacecraft from Boeings Commercial Cargo and Processing Facility at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The operational activity is targeted for approximately 4 a.m. EST on Wednesday, March 10.
Media accreditation deadlines for both OFT-2 launch and the photo opportunity are as follows:
- U.S. media interested in being on-site for a photo opportunity of Starliner rollout must apply for credentials by 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17.
- U.S. media interested in covering the OFT-2 launch must apply for credentials by 4 p.m. Monday, March 1.
- U.S.-based International media without U.S. citizenship interested in covering the OFT-2 launch must apply by 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11.
All accreditation requests should be submitted online at:
NASA continues to monitor developments related to the coronavirus pandemic, and Kennedy will grant access to only a limited number of media to protect the health and safety of media and employees. Due to COVID-19 safety restrictions at Kennedy, international media coming from overseas will need to followquarantine requirements.
The agency will follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the agencys chief health and medical officer, and will immediately communicate any updates that may affect media access for this launch.
