The CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, developed by the American company Boeing to transport astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS), is preparing to make its first manned test flight. After years of delay and several problems, this capsule, which aims to compete with SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, is expected to take off this Monday, May 6 from the Cape Canaveral base, in Florida. A crucial step for Boeing, which is trying to position itself in the human space flight market.
Chaotic development for Starliner, Boeing’s “space taxi.”
The program CST-100 Starliner (abbreviation of Space Crew 100 Transport) launched in 2014 as part of the The CCDev program is free (Commercial team development) from NASA. The aim was to develop a reusable space vehicle able to carry up to 7 astronauts to the ISS, to the dependence of the United States on it Russian Soyuz spacecraft.
But the development of Star experience numerous delays and technical problems. In 2019, Boeing they had to cut short an uncrewed mission because the capsule failed with the ISS. In 2021, a new test flight was canceled due to problems detected on the transfer system. At the moment, LocationX he got on with his cup Dragon teamwho did first manned flight from 2020.
Technical characteristics of the Boeing Starliner capsule
Despite these problems, Boeing he continued to develop it taxi space. The capsule Starwhich will 4.6 meters in diameterdesigned to be reusable up to 10 times.
It will be launched with a Atlas V rocket of the group United Launch Alliance (ULA)a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin that has been successful in sending probes to Mars.
Star is a docking hatch NASA Docking System to dock with the ISS. To return to Earth, the capsule is equipped with parachute and yourlarge air bags to move the entrance. she is volume under pressure yes of 11m3 and she accepts 163 kg of goods. Son autonomy yes of 60 hours in flight for free and until 7 months once stopped at the station.
The first manned test flight is sure of the future of Starliner
This Monday, May 6, Star he must accomplish everything the first flight with astronauts on board. Americans Barry Wilmore etc Sunita Williams it happens in the capsule for this vital test flight which must determine the safety and performance of the vehicle. If successful, Boeing will be able to start regular team rotation towards the ISS, as already done LocationX from 2020.
The stakes are high for Boeingwho suffered more thanbillion dollars in losses on the Starliner program. In addition to the contract with the NASAthe American aircraft manufacturer hopes to sell this transport capacity to other customersespecially for future service commercial space stations after the end of the ISS planned for 2030. But for this, Star it must first prove itself in manned flight. A meeting is being arranged this Monday for an expected visit.
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