Rosie the Astronaut is an Anthropomorphic Test Device (ATD), named after the iconic WWII character, Rosie the Riveter. It will launch aboard the Boeing Starliner for its inaugural uncrewed flight to the International Space Station and back.
This is the first test flight of Starliner spacecraft to the International Space Station. Although Atlas V and Centaur upper stage successfully put Starliner into planned trajectory, the spacecraft was unable to perform a nominal orbital insertion. Preliminary analysis indicate that Mission Elapsed Time (MET) system error led to Starliner burning more fuel than expected. Spacecraft is healthy and in stable orbit, but won't be able to reach and dock with ISS. Landing at White Sands Facility is planned on Dec 22.
Low Earth OrbitThis is the second uncrewed test flight for the Starliner spacecraft. Reflight of the OFT mission will allow Boeing to demonstrate readiness of the spacecraft and implement corrections to the problems which were found during the first OFT flight.
Low Earth OrbitBoeing as a space agency has recently provided NASA with assistance on sending humans to the ISS from American with both their construction of the CST-100 Starliner crew capsule and their work on the SLS Avionics to return to the moon and beyond. Their ventures in GPS satellite systems and Tracking and Data Relay Satellites provide information about earth-orbiting craft to stations on the ground. They also enable research on the ISS and will be helping with the construction of the Lunar Gateway.