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Boeing Starliner
Context:
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft will launch two NASA astronauts from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to the International Space Station.
More on News
- This is the first crewed test flight and aims to make Boeing the second private company, after SpaceX, to provide NASA crew transporta tion to the ISS.
- The technical setbacks that delayed the launch put pressure on Boeing’s space sector, emphasising the importance of demonstrating its ability to support NASA.
Reasons for delay in Programme:
- The planned launch attempt was forced to be aborted due to Atlas V rocket valve problem on launch vehicle.
- Discovery of security issues: Flammable tape covers the wiring harness inside the capsule, posing a fire hazard.
- The soft links on the parachute suspension lines now have a lower failure load limit, reducing the safety of landing with two out of three parachutes.
- More than 80 improvements were required for the first successful unmanned flight, but concerns remained about thruster performance and cooling systems.
About Boeing’s Starliner
- It is also known as CST-100 and is a partially reusable crew capsule. Designed for 10 reuses with a six-month turnaround.
- It is 5 meters long and 4.6 meters wide.
- It consists of two modules:
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- The Crew Module can accommodate seven astronauts but has been modified for four astronauts and cargo for ISS trips.
- The service module provides essential functions such as power, propulsion, thermal control, and life support in space, and is expandable.
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Key Highlights of Mission:
- The test flight is intended to demonstrate its capabilities with astronauts onboard.
- Dock with the ISS for about 10 days before returning to Earth.
- Astronauts will manually fly the Starliner and also test new, touchscreen-sensitive gloves with a lightweight space suit during the mission.
- During the return trip, NASA and Boeing will monitor the spacecraft’s heat shield and parachute.
Significance:
- It will provide NASA with a backup option for space launches and potentially reduce reliance on SpaceX.
- Boeing provides a chance to validate years of work and challenge SpaceX’s dominance in the commercial space sector.
- A successful launch would boost NASA’s confidence in the industry’s ability to support Earth’s orbit operations while focusing on future Moon and beyond missions.