Topic: [Discuss] Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48405 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-03-2012 09:58 AM
Please use this topic to discuss The Boeing Company's development of its CST-100 spacecraft as a part of NASA's commercial crew program.
SpaceAholic Member
Posts: 5076 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-08-2013 10:47 PM
Have learned through some local governmental officials that a dry lake bed here in our county not to far from where I reside (the Wilcox Playa) is being seriously considered by NASA and Boeing as a recovery location for the CST-100.
Inquiries have gone out to the hospital, law enforcement and public safety agencies to determine what level of organic support can be provided and what will need to be brought in by stakeholders. 2017 was cited as when ops will commence at the Playa.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48405 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-30-2014 04:09 PM
Boeing video release
Boeing Unveils America's First Space Taxi, Unlocks Possibilities for Future
Imagine flying in America's first space taxi, seeing Earth fade into the distance. Boeing is revolutionizing space travel and is one step closer to making it possible for you to experience previously what only astronauts could: space travel.
Posts: 1371 From: Staten Island, NY Registered: Jun 2007
posted 10-08-2014 05:01 PM
Any proposal for duration of the first mission? Crew size?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48405 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-08-2014 05:42 PM
Boeing has said it is too early to discuss the details of their first uncrewed or crewed test flights.
The only NASA requirement for the crewed demo is that it carry at least one NASA astronaut and that it reaches the space station.
Headshot Member
Posts: 1069 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 10-10-2014 06:06 PM
Can anyone tell me what the differences will be between the CST-100 and Orion spacecraft?
I know the CST-100 will operate in LEO and the Orion will venture into deep space, but what are the physical/engineering/technical characteristics (besides different "heat shields") to make one suitable for LEO and the other for deep space? GNC systems? Propulsion? ECS?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48405 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-10-2014 06:53 PM
D. All of the above. But to offer one specific example:
CST-100 is equipped with batteries and, to meet NASA's requirements, solar cells lining its bottom, such that it only has enough electricity reserves to reach the space station.
Orion is equipped with batteries as well, but its service module is also outfitted with large solar arrays to generate the electricity needed for longer journeys into space.
Lou Chinal Member
Posts: 1371 From: Staten Island, NY Registered: Jun 2007
posted 10-13-2014 11:22 AM
It was stated that a 12 inch-wide model about 1/14 the size was used for wind tunnel tests. That would mean the CST-100 is 14 feet or 168 inches in diameter? Artists, model builders, graphic designers want to get the scale right.
I have scoured Boeing's website for dimensions. Am I missing something?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48405 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-27-2015 02:32 PM
From Boeing on Twitter:
Upper and lower domes that will form Pressure Shell for CST-100 structural tests arrive at NASA Kennedy.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48405 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 02-16-2016 09:53 AM
From NASA Langley Research Center:
CST-100 Starliner is readied for landing tests at NASA Langley.
SkyMan1958 Member
Posts: 1195 From: CA. Registered: Jan 2011
posted 08-18-2016 01:33 PM
I'm a little surprised about the testing of the RL10 engines and that the engine produces "22,300 pounds of thrust" and that only two will be used on the upper stage of the Atlas V to launch the CST-100.
This would give the upper stage 44,600 pounds of thrust, which seems low. Is the upper stage of the Atlas V really only going to produce 44,600 pounds of thrust?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48405 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
Atlas V has capability to spare to launch Starliner missions to low Earth orbit.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48405 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-03-2017 05:14 PM
Jim Chilton, president of Boeing's Network & Space Systems, speaking today (April 3, 2017) at the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, said they have achieved the first power-up of spacecraft no. 1 for the CST-100 Starliner.
We did achieve first power up of spacecraft no. 1. So we've built her, we've got the wires in, we've got in the avionics in.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48405 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 11-29-2017 06:30 PM
Per Chris Ferguson via Twitter:
So what does a fleet of spacecraft under construction look like? Starliner — coming soon to a Galaxy near you.
Headshot Member
Posts: 1069 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 12-04-2017 11:07 AM
If there is to be a fleet of Boeing spacecraft, how will they be differentiated from each other? Will they be stuck with boring Spacecraft 1, Spacecraft 2, etc. designations or will they be assigned individual names?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48405 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-04-2017 11:19 AM
Boeing hasn't announced how the individual spacecraft will be designated, though they did name their first training mockup the "ColbertOne."
Jim Behling Member
Posts: 1716 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
posted 12-04-2017 08:38 PM
quote:Originally posted by Headshot: ...how will they be differentiated from each other?
There will always be tail numbers. Names are for the public, workers use tail numbers.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48405 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-04-2018 03:13 PM
From Boeing on Twitter:
Check out the Starliner Pad Abort Test and Orbital Flight Test vehicles under construction!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48405 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-09-2018 12:04 PM
The crew module and service module for the Starliner pad abort test have been mated. From Chris Ferguson on Twitter:
And the two become one... Launch Pad Abort Test is next.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48405 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-23-2018 02:18 PM
Boeing 360-degree video
One, two, three Boeing CST-100 Starliners are coming together inside this historic spacecraft factory at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The goal of the commercially developed and operating spacecraft is to return crew launch capabilities to NASA and the United States.
Headshot Member
Posts: 1069 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 06-03-2018 05:53 PM
Has Boeing released any diagrams of the cockpit displays the crew will see during a Starliner mission?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48405 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-03-2018 05:56 PM
Boeing considers the layout of the displays and controls to be proprietary, so while there have been some photos from oblique angles, no detailed views (or diagrams) have been published. NASA has agreed to restrict such views, too.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48405 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-08-2018 02:11 PM
From Boeing on Twitter:
Simulated spaceship, real results. Boeing, NASA and U.S. Army teams aced their first Starliner landing and recovery drills this week at White Sands Missile Range. We're getting ready to bring NASA astronauts home safely from the International Space Station!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48405 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-21-2018 02:52 PM
In late June, an anomaly occurred during preparations for Boeing's test of the Starliner spacecraft and its launch abort system, reports Ars Technica.
The company said it conducted a hot-fire test of the launch-abort engines on an integrated service module at the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico in June. The engines successfully ignited and ran for the full duration, but during engine shutdown an anomaly occurred that resulted in a propellant leak. "We have been conducting a thorough investigation with assistance from our NASA and industry partners," the statement said. "We are confident we found the cause and are moving forward with corrective action. Flight safety and risk mitigation are why we conduct such rigorous testing, and anomalies are a natural part of any test program."
The pad abort test is a necessary part of certifying spacecraft for flight, as it ensures the ability of the spacecraft to pull rapidly away from its rocket in the event of an emergency during liftoff or ascent into space.
Boeing officials have apparently told NASA they believe there is an operational fix to the problem rather than a need to significantly rework the Starliner spacecraft itself. Boeing is already deep into production of two more Starliner vehicles — one that will undertake an uncrewed "Orbital Flight Test" for NASA's commercial crew program, perhaps late this year, as well as the spacecraft that will fly the "Crew Flight Test" sometime in 2019. One source indicated that this problem may not affect the uncrewed test flight but that it could delay the crew test.
oly Member
Posts: 1381 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 07-21-2018 09:20 PM
first Starliner landing and recovery drills
This photo looks like an off road vehicle club day out.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48405 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-29-2018 10:45 AM
Eric Boe shared a photo of himself inside the Starliner that he will fly aboard:
Being a part of the first full-up acceptance test is an awesome experience! Avionics and subsystems are solid. Nice work by the Boeing Starliner team.
oly Member
Posts: 1381 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 08-29-2018 09:33 PM
Fantastic to see inside this latest machine. It looks like there is still a bit of work to do inside this thing before flight, it is surprising that a photo showing seat frame missing rivets, temporary clamps, missing hardware and covers, and rags on the floor and was allowed out.
posted 08-30-2018 12:24 PM
With that perspective, it is a great historic photo, like seeing am Apollo lunar module or command module in construction phases. It is a reminder that in the near future, there will be manned launches from the KSC again.
denali414 Member
Posts: 823 From: Raleigh, NC Registered: Aug 2017
posted 09-06-2018 06:17 PM
Just watching the NASA channel and had an interview with the Starliner pilot and NASA astronauts. At 3,000 feet, they're saying they will have six explosive bolts that will jettison the heat shield from the vehicle before later deploying the airbags.
Hmm, wonder if we can find some heat shields on the drybeds for some lucites.
All kidding aside, I do hope some of the material does make it to the secondary market.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48405 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-06-2018 07:39 PM
Not to dash hopes, but the Starliner recovery zones will be on military-controlled land and the material will remain Boeing property. I believe the company has plans to recover and dispose of the spent heat shields.
(Of course, Boeing could always chose to produce mementos for their employees or even the public, if it was so inclined.)
denali414 Member
Posts: 823 From: Raleigh, NC Registered: Aug 2017
posted 09-07-2018 06:16 PM
The thought was mostly "tongue in cheek". Though the idea of a bunch of space nerds with nets scurrying around a dry bed looking for falling debris also makes me smile, even if just fantasy. I do hope Boeing does make available to workers.
oly Member
Posts: 1381 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 09-07-2018 07:49 PM
quote:Originally posted by denali414: The idea of a bunch of space nerds with nets scurrying around a dry bed looking for falling debris also makes me smile.
The idea of the same nerds finding some debris, and taking it home to cut it into smaller quantities and bag it up, like some back yard drug pushers, so they can squeeze every ounce of profit, to feed the addiction of others maybe not so funny.
rasorenson Member
Posts: 109 From: Santa Clara, CA, USA Registered: Nov 2009
posted 05-23-2022 05:33 PM
What is the purpose of the perforated black panels that encircle the service module just below the Starliner heatshield?
oly Member
Posts: 1381 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 05-23-2022 06:34 PM
Because the Starliner and its service module have a larger diameter than the Atlas V launch vehicle, the shape of the rocket is what is known as a hammerhead, which can generate some funky aerodynamic loads during transonic velocities as aerodynamic shock waves form. The positioning of this grid fence is about where these transonic shock waves would form, so perhaps they are designed to shift the shock wave formation or mitigate the aerodynamic loads on the structure at some stage during the vehicle acceleration.
posted 08-03-2012 09:58 AM
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