CST-100 Starliner
The CST-100 Starliner is a spacecraft developed by Boeing as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program (CCP). This program aims to facilitate the transportation of astronauts and cargo to and from the International Space Station (ISS). Here are some key details about the Starliner:
Development and Purpose
- The development of the Starliner began in 2010 after NASA selected Boeing as one of the companies to develop a new spacecraft to transport crew to the ISS following the retirement of the Space Shuttle.
- Its primary purpose is to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective access to low Earth orbit and the ISS.
Design and Specifications
- The CST-100 Starliner is designed for up to 7 passengers or a mix of crew and cargo.
- It features a welded aluminum structure with composite skin, providing a lightweight yet durable capsule.
- The spacecraft can be reused up to 10 times with a six-month turnaround time between flights.
- It uses a "pusher" abort system, which means the service module thrusters can propel the crew module away from the launch vehicle in case of an emergency.
Launch Vehicle
Notable Missions
- OFT-1 (Orbital Flight Test 1): Launched in December 2019, this uncrewed mission was meant to test the Starliner's systems in space. However, due to a software automation issue, the spacecraft did not achieve the planned ISS rendezvous.
- OFT-2: Scheduled for a follow-up uncrewed test flight to validate the fixes and complete the objectives of OFT-1.
- Crewed Flight Test: A mission with astronauts aboard to certify the spacecraft for regular missions to the ISS.
Challenges and Setbacks
- Software issues, particularly with the mission elapsed time (MET) clock, caused significant delays and mission failures during the OFT-1.
- Boeing has had to address these issues, leading to a thorough review of its software development process.
Future Plans
- Once fully certified, the Starliner will join SpaceX's Crew Dragon in providing regular crew rotation missions to the ISS.
- Boeing plans for Starliner to be capable of other missions beyond ISS, including lunar missions as part of NASA's broader space exploration goals.
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