The Boeing Company
The Boeing Company has won awards under CCDev (US$ 18 million), CCDev2 (US$ 92.3 million), CCiCap (US$ 460 million), and CCtCAP (US$ 4.2 billion).
Founded in Seattle, Washington in 1916, Boeing is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. With over 170,000 employees, Boeing is the largest aerospace company in the world.
Boeing's entry in the commercial crew vehicle arena is their CTS-100 (Commercial Space Transporter - 100) Starliner spacecraft. The Starliner can carry up to seven crew members and and can also carry cargo in lieu of crew. The intended launch booster is the United Launch Alliance Atlas V. Using a traditional capsule shape, the Starliner is equipped with an airbag mechanism to enable landings on a dry lake bed, although contingency water landings are also possible.
The Starliner, comprised of a Crew Module and a Service Module,
leverages
Apollo-proven aerodynamic characteristics in a design employing modern,
cost effective technologies and manufacturing techniques.
Courtesy: The Boeing Company
(click to enlarge)
The CST-100 Starliner mated to an Atlas V
Courtesy: The Boeing Company
A December 2019 unmanned demonstration flight was a failure. A second unmanned demonstration flight scheduled for August 2021 was scrubbed due to issues with sticking valves. Current plans call for an unmanned demonstration flight of the CST-100 to the ISS in mid-2022, with a manned demonstration later in 2022 or 2023. If all goes well with these demonstration flights, NASA will approve the Starliner for ISS crew rotations.
CST-100 Starliner Spacecraft
| Capsule | Status | Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Spacecraft 1 | Retired | Pad abort test |
| Spacecraft 2 | Active | |
| Spacecraft 3 (Calypso) | Active | Boeing OFT |
Page last modified: 17 April 2022 15:35:11.
