Boeing Starliner
The Boeing Starliner, officially known as the CST-100 Starliner, is a spacecraft designed by Boeing to transport crew to and from Low Earth Orbit (LEO). It's part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which aims to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective access to space.
History and Development
Development of the Starliner began in 2010 after NASA announced the Commercial Crew Development (CCDev) program. Here are key milestones:
- 2010-2014: Boeing was awarded several rounds of funding for the development of the Starliner under the CCDev program.
- 2014: NASA selected Boeing and SpaceX as the winners of the Commercial Crew Transportation Capability (CCtCap) contracts, with each company receiving funds to develop their respective spacecraft.
- 2015: The CST-100 was officially named "Starliner".
- 2019: The first uncrewed Orbital Flight Test (OFT-1) was conducted, but it faced significant issues, including not reaching the planned orbit for docking with the International Space Station (ISS).
- 2022: A successful uncrewed test flight (OFT-2) was completed, demonstrating the spacecraft's capability to dock with the ISS.
- 2023: The first crewed test flight (CFT) was planned, marking a critical step toward operational certification.
Design and Capabilities
The Starliner is designed with:
- Crew Capacity: Up to 7 passengers for LEO missions, or fewer for longer missions with more cargo.
- Launch Vehicle: Uses the Atlas V rocket for launches.
- Reusability: Designed for at least 10 missions with minimal refurbishment.
- Landing: Features a parachute-assisted landing on land, unlike the water landings of earlier spacecraft.
- Habitability: Offers a comfortable environment for astronauts during their journey, including Wi-Fi, a galley, and a bathroom.
- Safety: Includes an emergency escape system capable of separating from the launch vehicle in case of an emergency during ascent.
Future Plans
Boeing plans to:
- Conduct regular crewed flights to the ISS starting after the successful completion of the CFT.
- Support potential missions to other destinations in LEO, like commercial space stations.
- Contribute to NASA's broader goals of expanding human spaceflight capabilities beyond the ISS.
Challenges and Criticisms
Despite its advancements:
- The program has faced delays and technical issues, notably during the OFT-1, which resulted in cost overruns and schedule slips.
- There have been criticisms regarding the pace of development when compared to SpaceX's Crew Dragon.
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See Also