Christopher Ferguson

Former NASA and Boeing Astronaut,
Naval Aviator, TOPGUN & Drexel Grad. Space Shuttle Flyer and Trained on @BoeingSpace Starliner. Go Birds!

[Christopher Ferguson @Astro_Ferg]

In my years of test piloting, I don't think I've ever given a Cooper-Harper rating of "1" either. Impressive. Here's the scale for you future test pilots.

[Boeing Space @BoeingSpace]

During the #Starliner crew's live update from @Space_Station, Commander Butch Wilmore brought the focus back to day one.

Learn more about their Crew Flight Test launch and manual flying experiences: https://t.co/WE4YjPjsHm

[Christopher Ferguson @Astro_Ferg]

On the Longest Day, D-Day, we remember the personal sacrifices needed to rid the world of tyranny. On June 6, 1944 over 2,500 Americans gave their lives to earn a toehold in France. It was the beginning of the end of WWII. It was humbling to visit this hallowed ground 5 yrs ago.

[Christopher Ferguson @Astro_Ferg]

The perseverance and grit of @BoeingSpace on full display today as the team overcame challenges to take the #Starliner to docking with @Space_Station. There are now 3 different crewed, and 3 additional uncrewed spacecraft attached to ISS. (Need a bigger parking lot?)

[Christopher Ferguson @Astro_Ferg]

After 61 years, human spaceflight has returned to an Atlas booster with #Starliner today. Congrats to the @Boeing and @ulalaunch teams for their perseverance and grit... today and always.

[Christopher Ferguson @Astro_Ferg]

Norman L Aigner died serving as co-pilot of Horsa LJ161 on D-Day, 6 June 1944. His plane was last seen under heavy machine gun fire over Normandy, France. On Memorial Day we remember Norman and all who paid the ultimate price serving their country.

[Christopher Ferguson @Astro_Ferg]

There's a lot of personality and passion here...

[Boeing Space @BoeingSpace]

The road to #Starliner's #CFT has been paved with grit, determination and camaraderie. As we approach our May 6 launch, #TeamBoeing is reflecting on what it means to send our friends on a test flight that will make gains for science and inspire us all.

[Boeing Space @BoeingSpace]

See #Starliner roll out from our factory to @ulalaunch's Vertical Integration Facility for its Crew Flight Test. Starliner is now stacked on the #AtlasV rocket for a May 6 launch.

[Christopher Ferguson @Astro_Ferg]

It looks so simple, but there's incredible engineering scrutiny behind parachutes that bring humans back from space. With this test @BoeingSpace is one step closer. Can't wait to see them fly.

[Boeing Space @BoeingSpace]

Our team recently joined @Commercial_Crew to evaluate #Starliner's upgraded parachute design.

Data analysis shows the two-parachute test over @ypg_az was a success and all test objectives were met, clearing the way for the Crew Flight Test.

[Christopher Ferguson @Astro_Ferg]

Atlantis--well cared for by @ExploreSpaceKSC for 10 years and counting. Great panel discussion with several veteran astronauts on what it was like 'back in the day'. Thanks @AstroScholarFdn.

[Delaware North @delawarenorth]

Space Shuttle Atlantis at @ExploreSpaceKSC has officially been open for 1️⃣0️⃣ years! 🥳

On June 29, 2013, Delaware North Parks and Resorts debuted the long-awaited attraction years in the making, which was developed in partnership with NASA and St. Louis-based PGAV Destinations.

[Christopher Ferguson @Astro_Ferg]

A few thousand D-Day veterans may be still alive; the youngest are in their late 90s.  Words can never express our gratitude for what was surely the Longest Day of their lives #OTD in 1944.

[Christopher Ferguson @Astro_Ferg]

Grand Marshals and Apollo veterans Charlie Duke, Harrison Schmitt, and Rusty Schweickart at the National Memorial Day parade. (Between rain showers)

[Christopher Ferguson @Astro_Ferg]

William M. Bryant gave his life in Vietnam defending his battalion. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for “conspicuous gallantry...above and beyond the call of duty”. On Memorial Day we remember William and all who paid the ultimate price serving their country.

[Christopher Ferguson @Astro_Ferg]

There's just something about watching a rocket launch... This summer we'll take our NASA crew along for the ride.

[Boeing Space @BoeingSpace]

0:00 🔥
0:01 lift off 🚀

#OTD, one year ago, #Starliner launched to space on the shoulders of @ulalaunch's #AtlasV rocket.

Starliner's OFT-2 lifted our hopes to new heights! Now, relive the ride from launch to landing — plus preview the upcoming Crew Flight Test with us.

[Christopher Ferguson @Astro_Ferg]

Managing the heat dissipation of atmospheric re-entry is an amazing science. Part of the reason for the gray tint to the Crew Module paint too.

[Boeing Space @BoeingSpace]

WATCH 👀 as our team paints the @NASA meatball and mission designators on the side of #Starliner's Crew Flight Test vehicle.

It takes a special kind of silicone-based paint that can withstand the heat 🔥 of re-entry and is safe for use on our thermal protection system.

[Christopher Ferguson @Astro_Ferg]

These seeds complement the hops that also made the trip for an aged-in-space, 'out of this world' Simcoe Lager.

[Boeing Space @BoeingSpace]

To plant a seed is to believe in tomorrow. 🌎🧵

Thousands of seeds flew on #Starliner during OFT-2 and we're now seeing them take root here on Earth. This adorable new pine tree is thriving in Houston at the home of a #Starliner engineer. #EarthDay

[Christopher Ferguson @Astro_Ferg]

@skinnyb0b My best guess is that it was a payload bay thermal blanket retainer. It was in the same orbit as the shuttle so it had to come from 'us'.

[Christopher Ferguson @Astro_Ferg]

CEIT is the beginning of the home stretch for the #CST100Starliner crew. Great to see them at Kennedy Space Center this week.

[Boeing Space @BoeingSpace]

✅ @NASA_Astronauts Butch Wilmore, @Astro_Suni & @AstroIronMike completed the first part of their Crew Equipment Interface Test (CEIT) for #Starliner’s upcoming Crew Flight Test.

[Christopher Ferguson @Astro_Ferg]

New mission patch for the upcoming Starliner Crewed Flight Test mission with veteran astronauts (and artists) Butch Wilmore and @Astro_Suni. Nice!

[Boeing Space @BoeingSpace]

All of these elements come together in the Crew Flight Test patch to represent the ambition of the flight test mission, the importance of partnership and the adventurous spirit of #Starliner's first crew members.

Learn more: https://t.co/rmKjFS1QSo

[Christopher Ferguson @Astro_Ferg]

@Nicole60439467 Hi Nicole...and of course i remember your mom. I think it was through grade school at St Martha and then Ryan (where the boys and girls schools were separated). Please pass your email address and i'll answer the rest of your questions.

[Christopher Ferguson @Astro_Ferg]

Great to see my friends and @NASA_Astronauts Butch Wilmore and @Astro_Suni back in their Boeing Blue Ascent/Entry pressure suits! Proud of all the work and training they and the team are doing together ahead of #Starliner’s crewed flight.

[Boeing Space @BoeingSpace]

WATCH 🤩 @NASA_Astronauts Butch Wilmore, @Astro_Suni and backup @AstroIronMike train for #Starliner's Crew Flight Test. The team recently completed two major milestones ahead of CFT.

Read more about it here: https://t.co/aSN57MKSL5