NASA's Commercial Crew Partner Boeing Completes Parachute Test

May 3, 2012

Michael Braukus
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1979
michael.j.braukus@nasa.gov

Candrea Thomas
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
candrea.k.thomas@nasa.gov

Susan Wells
The Boeing Company
321-264-8580
susan.h.wells@boeing.com

RELEASE: 12-147

NASA'S COMMERCIAL CREW PARTNER BOEING COMPLETES PARACHUTE TEST

WASHINGTON -- The Boeing Company successfully completed the second
parachute drop test for its Crew Space Transportation (CST)
spacecraft Wednesday, part of its effort to develop commercial crew
transportation capabilities that could ferry U.S. astronauts to and
from low-Earth orbit (LEO) and the International Space Station.

A helicopter lifted the CST-100 crew capsule to about 14,000 feet
above the Delmar Dry Lake Bed near Alamo, Nev. A drogue parachute
deployment sequence was initiated, followed by deployment of the main
parachute. The capsule descended to a smooth ground landing,
cushioned by six inflated air bags. The test demonstrated the
performance of the entire landing system.

"Boeing's parachute demonstrations are a clear sign NASA is moving in
the right direction of enabling the American aerospace transportation
industry to flourish under this partnership," NASA's Commercial Crew
Program Manager Ed Mango said. "The investments we're making now are
enabling this new path forward of getting our crews to LEO and
potentially the space station as soon as possible."

Boeing's CST system is designed to be a reusable, capsule-shaped
spacecraft capable of taking up to seven people, or a combination of
people and cargo, to and from low-Earth orbit, including the space
station. HDT Airborne Systems of Solon, Ohio, designed, fabricated
and integrated the parachute system, including the two drogue
parachutes. ILC Dover of Frederica, Del., designed and fabricated the
landing air bag system.

The first test, on April 3, validated the architecture and deployment
of the parachute system, characterized pyrotechnic shock loads,
confirmed parachute size and design, and identified potential forward
compartment packaging and deployment issues. The company inspected
and re-packed the full parachute system for this second test.

"This second parachute drop test validates Boeing's innovative system
architecture and deployment plan," said John Mulholland, vice
president and program manager of Boeing Commercial Programs.
"Boeing's completion of this milestone reaffirms our commitment to
provide safe, reliable and affordable crewed access to space."

The company has scheduled additional tests to be performed in 2012
that will provide more data on elements of the spacecraft's design.
Boeing's spacecraft was designed to be compatible with a variety of
expendable launch vehicles. The company selected United Launch
Alliance's Atlas V rocket for initial CST-100 test flights.

All of NASA's industry partners, including Boeing, continue to meet
their established milestones in developing commercial crew
transportation capabilities.

For more information about NASA's Commercial Crew Program, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew


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