A Decade of Development
Boeing has spent more than a decade developing its CST-100 Starliner spacecraft as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The aerospace giant was awarded a $4.2 billion contract in 2014, alongside SpaceX’s $2.6 billion contract, to build a capsule capable of ferrying astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS). The Starliner was originally expected to make its first crewed flight in 2017, but the program has faced numerous setbacks and delays.
Overcoming Technical Challenges
The Starliner’s journey has been marked by a series of technical issues that have pushed back its timeline. In December 2019, the spacecraft’s first orbital flight test encountered software glitches that prevented it from reaching the ISS. An attempt to retry the test in August 2021 was scrubbed just hours before launch due to problems with the capsule’s propulsion system valves.
Engineers have also had to address other concerns, such as the flammability of tape used to protect wiring inside the spacecraft and the need to redesign the parachute system after a test failure. These challenges have led to significant financial losses for Boeing, with the company taking charges of over $1.5 billion against earnings for the Starliner program by 2022.
Successful Uncrewed Mission and Upcoming Crewed Flight
Despite the setbacks, Boeing and NASA have made steady progress in preparing the Starliner for crewed flights. In May 2022, the spacecraft successfully completed its second uncrewed orbital flight test, docking with the ISS and returning safely to Earth. This achievement paved the way for the next major milestone: the Crew Flight Test (CFT).
NASA and Boeing are now targeting early May 2024 for the CFT, which will see astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams fly to the ISS aboard the Starliner. The mission, lasting approximately two weeks, will thoroughly test the spacecraft’s systems and capabilities before it can be certified for regular crew rotation missions. If successful, the CFT could lead to NASA certification of the Starliner by the end of 2024.
Starliner vs. Dragon: A Comparison
While both Boeing’s Starliner and SpaceX’s Crew Dragon were developed under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, there are notable differences between the two spacecraft:
- Cost: Boeing’s contract for the Starliner is valued at $4.2 billion, compared to SpaceX’s $2.6 billion contract for the Crew Dragon. The estimated average cost per seat is also higher for the Starliner at $90 million, while the Crew Dragon’s cost per seat is around $55 million.
- Design: The Starliner is designed to be reusable up to 10 times and features a weldless structure and an innovative airbag system for land landings. The Crew Dragon, on the other hand, is designed for water landings and has a more streamlined appearance.
- Launch Vehicles: The Starliner is launched atop United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket, while the Crew Dragon is launched on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.
- Operational Status: SpaceX’s Crew Dragon has been operational since 2020, having successfully completed multiple crewed missions to the ISS. The Starliner, meanwhile, is still working towards its first crewed flight.
Looking Ahead
As Boeing prepares for the Starliner’s first crewed mission, the company is looking to demonstrate the spacecraft’s reliability and safety. A successful CFT would not only provide NASA with a second viable option for transporting astronauts to and from the ISS but also potentially open up new opportunities for commercial spaceflight. With the Starliner’s long-awaited crewed flight on the horizon, the next chapter in Boeing’s space odyssey is about to unfold.