Crew Dragon vs. Starliner: The New Era of American Spaceflight

The Commercial Crew Program, a partnership between NASA and private aerospace companies, has ushered in a new era of American spaceflight. Two spacecraft, the SpaceX Crew Dragon and the Boeing CST-100 Starliner, are at the forefront of this endeavor, aiming to provide reliable and cost-effective access to the International Space Station (ISS) and beyond. While both spacecraft share the common goal of transporting astronauts to and from low Earth orbit, they differ in their design, capabilities, and operational aspects.

The Commercial Crew Program and Contracts

NASA’s Commercial Crew Program was established to facilitate the development of privately operated crew transportation systems, with the goal of reducing the agency’s reliance on Russian Soyuz spacecraft for access to the ISS. In 2014, NASA awarded contracts to SpaceX and Boeing, valued at $2.6 billion and $4.2 billion, respectively, to develop and operate their crew transportation systems.

Under these contracts, both companies are required to demonstrate the safety and reliability of their spacecraft through a series of test flights and certification milestones. Once certified, SpaceX and Boeing will each provide six operational missions to the ISS, with the option for additional missions as needed.

The Commercial Crew Program represents a significant shift in NASA’s approach to spaceflight, leveraging the innovation and efficiency of the private sector while allowing the agency to focus on deep space exploration, such as the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and eventually send them to Mars.

Design and Development

The Crew Dragon, developed by SpaceX, is an evolution of the company’s successful Cargo Dragon spacecraft. It has been designed to carry up to seven astronauts and has undergone extensive modifications to ensure crew safety and comfort. These modifications include larger windows, improved avionics, redesigned solar arrays, and an integrated launch escape system.

On the other hand, the Starliner is a completely new spacecraft developed by Boeing. It is designed to accommodate up to seven crew members and features a weldless structure, making it lighter and more cost-effective to produce. The Starliner also incorporates an innovative airbag system that allows for a softer landing on solid ground.

Launch Vehicles and Operational Aspects

The Crew Dragon is launched atop SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket, which has a proven track record of successful launches and landings. The spacecraft is designed to autonomously dock with the ISS and can remain in orbit for up to 210 days while docked. Upon completion of its mission, the Crew Dragon splashes down in the ocean, where it is recovered by a ship.

The Starliner is compatible with multiple launch vehicles, including the Atlas V, Falcon 9, and Vulcan rockets. The compatibility with multiple launch vehicles allows for greater mission adaptability and redundancy. Like the Crew Dragon, the Starliner is capable of autonomous docking with the ISS and can remain in orbit for up to seven months while docked. However, the Starliner is designed to land on solid ground using a combination of parachutes and airbags, with the option for a water landing in case of an emergency.

Crew Safety and Comfort

Both spacecraft have been designed with crew safety and comfort as top priorities. The Crew Dragon features an advanced life support system, a spacious interior with touchscreens for crew interface, and custom-designed spacesuits that provide both comfort and protection. The spacecraft also has an emergency escape system that can quickly separate the capsule from the rocket in the event of a launch anomaly.

Similarly, the Starliner has been designed with crew safety in mind. It features a robust life support system, a comfortable interior with tablet-based crew interfaces, and Boeing’s custom-designed spacesuits. The Starliner also has an emergency escape system that can propel the capsule away from the rocket in case of an emergency during launch.

Testing and Certification

Both the Crew Dragon and the Starliner have undergone rigorous testing and certification processes to ensure their readiness for crewed missions. The Crew Dragon completed its first successful uncrewed test flight, Demo-1, in March 2019, followed by an in-flight abort test in January 2020. The spacecraft then successfully completed its first crewed mission, Demo-2, in May 2020, marking the return of American astronauts launching from U.S. soil since the retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2011.

The Starliner, however, faced challenges during its first uncrewed test flight, Orbital Flight Test (OFT), in December 2019. The spacecraft encountered software issues that prevented it from reaching the correct orbit and docking with the ISS. As a result, Boeing had to conduct a second uncrewed test flight, OFT-2, in May 2022, which successfully docked with the ISS and returned safely to Earth.

Following the successful completion of their respective test flights, both the Crew Dragon and the Starliner have been certified by NASA for operational missions to the ISS. The Crew Dragon has already completed Night several operational missions, while the Starliner is scheduled to conduct its first crewed test flight, the Crew Flight Test (CFT), in the near future.

Operational Missions and Crew Assignments

SpaceX has successfully completed several operational missions to the ISS using the Crew Dragon spacecraft. The first operational mission, Crew-1, launched in November 2020, followed by Crew-2 in April 2021, Crew-3 in November 2021, and Crew-4 in April 2022. These missions have transported both NASA and international astronauts to and from the ISS, demonstrating the reliability and effectiveness of the Crew Dragon system.

Boeing’s Starliner, having completed its successful uncrewed test flight, OFT-2, is now preparing for its first crewed test flight, the Crew Flight Test (CFT). This mission will carry NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore, Nicole Mann, and Mike Fincke to the ISS, marking a significant milestone for the Starliner program. Following the successful completion of the CFT, the Starliner will be ready to commence operational missions to the ISS.

Crew assignments for future missions are determined by NASA in coordination with its international partners. Astronauts from the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan are expected to fly aboard both the Crew Dragon and the Starliner, fostering international cooperation in space exploration.

Future Prospects

With the successful completion of their respective test flights and the commencement of operational missions, both the Crew Dragon and the Starliner are poised to play crucial roles in the future of American spaceflight. NASA’s contracts with SpaceX and Boeing for six operational missions each ensure a reliable and redundant means of transporting astronauts to and from the ISS.

Beyond ISS missions, these spacecraft have the potential to enable a wide range of commercial and scientific opportunities in low Earth orbit. They could be used to transport private astronauts, researchers, and even tourists to future private space stations or other orbital destinations. As the Commercial Crew Program continues to evolve, the Crew Dragon and the Starliner will undoubtedly shape the future of human spaceflight, opening up new possibilities for exploration and discovery.

Moreover, the success of the Commercial Crew Program has paved the way for further collaboration between NASA and private industry. The agency’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destination (CLD) program seeks to support the development of private space stations, which could serve as successors to the ISS. The Crew Dragon and the Starliner, with their proven capabilities, are well-positioned to provide transportation services to these future orbital outposts.

As NASA sets its sights on returning humans to the Moon through the Artemis program and eventually sending them to Mars, the Commercial Crew Program and its spacecraft will continue to play a vital role in maintaining a continuous human presence in low Earth orbit. The Crew Dragon and the Starliner will not only ensure reliable access to the ISS but also serve as a foundation for the development of more advanced spacecraft and technologies that will enable the next generation of human spaceflight and exploration.

Specifications Comparison

Flight History

Crew Dragon

Starliner