Boeing’s Starliner Set to Make Inaugural Trip to Space Station

Boeing’s Starliner Set to Make Inaugural Trip to Space Station

At sunset on Dec. 4, 2019, a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, topped by the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, stands on Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
At sunset on Dec. 4, 2019, a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, topped by the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, stands on Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Photo credit: Boeing

By Bob Granath

Next Commercial Crew Program (CCP) Mission: Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner Unpiloted Orbital Flight Test (OFT)

The Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft rolls out from the company’s Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Nov. 21, 2019. The spacecraft will make the trip to Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station where it will be secured atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket for Boeing’s Orbital Flight Test to the International Space Station.
The Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft rolls out from the company’s Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Nov. 21, 2019. The spacecraft will make the trip to Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station where it will be secured atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket for Boeing’s Orbital Flight Test to the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

NASA’s Commercial Crew Program is working with the American aerospace industry partners Boeing and SpaceX as they develop and operate a new generation of spacecraft and launch systems capable of carrying crews to low-Earth orbit and the International Space Station. Commercial transportation to and from the station will provide expanded utility, additional research time and broader opportunities for discovery on the orbiting laboratory.

The inaugural flight of the SpaceX Crew Dragon was known as Demo-1.

Demo-1 was launched on an unpiloted mission March 2, 2019, later docking with the International Space Station.

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V first stage is lifted to the vertical position on Nov. 4, 2019, in the Vertical Integration Facility at Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in preparation for Boeing’s Orbital Flight Test (OFT).
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V first stage is lifted to the vertical position on Nov. 4, 2019, in the Vertical Integration Facility at Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in preparation for Boeing’s Orbital Flight Test (OFT). Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

The first flight of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner to the space station also will be an unpiloted test flight. Even without a crew, Starliner will attempt to dock to the station to prove its autonomous mission capability. The other mission objectives will demonstrate Starliner’s systems and capabilities, except for those requiring a human on-board to test.

Launch Time and Date: 6:36 a.m. EST, Dec. 20, 2019

Lift Off: Space Launch Complex (SLC) 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station

Did you know? Prior to the Starliner, SLC 41 was used only for unpiloted spacecraft, hosting Titan rockets beginning in 1965 and then the Atlas V since 2002.

Launch Vehicle: United Launch Alliance Atlas V, 205 feet tall, 12.5 feet in diameter

The Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft is guided into position above a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at the Vertical Integration Facility at Space Launch Complex 41 on Nov. 21, 2019.
The Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft is guided into position above a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at the Vertical Integration Facility at Space Launch Complex 41 on Nov. 21, 2019. Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston

Spacecraft: Boeing CST-100 Starliner, 16.5 feet high, 15 feet in diameter

The Starliner was designed to accommodate a mix of crew and cargo, for missions to low-Earth orbit. For NASA trips to the space station, Starliner will carry up to four NASA-sponsored crew members and about 220 pounds of time-critical scientific research equipment.

Reusability: The Starliner is a reusable spacecraft that combines a proven capsule architecture, materials and subsystem technologies with 21st century innovations allowing the capsule to be used up to 10 times.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, topped by the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, stand on Space Launch Complex 41 at Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Dec. 5, 2019.
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, topped by the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, stand on Space Launch Complex 41 at Florida’s Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

Mission: Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft will help re-establish an American human launch capability, beginning with flights to the International Space Station. This will help increase the use of the orbiting laboratory’s unique research environment.

Return to Earth: The Starliner uses a proven parachute and airbag cushioning system for shock absorption in order to land on solid ground. Descent under parachutes begins at an altitude of about 5,000 feet. The heat shield is designed to separate from the capsule with the airbags located underneath to cushion the solid-ground landing. If necessary, the spacecraft can splash down in the ocean.

Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner airbags inflate in preparation for landing in the New Mexico desert in the company’s Pad Abort Test for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The test, conducted Nov. 4, 2019 at the White Sands Missile Range, was designed to verify that each of Starliner’s systems will function not only separately, but in concert, to protect astronauts by carrying them safely away from the launch pad in the unlikely event of an emergency prior to liftoff.
Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner airbags inflate in preparation for landing in the New Mexico desert in the company’s Pad Abort Test for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The test, conducted Nov. 4, 2019 at the White Sands Missile Range, was designed to verify that each of Starliner’s systems will function not only separately, but in concert, to protect astronauts by carrying them safely away from the launch pad in the unlikely event of an emergency prior to liftoff. Photo credit: NASA/Boeing

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