CST-100 Starliner

Overview
Key Features
Resources
Related

Powering a 21st-Century Spacecraft

Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft is a next-generation space capsule designed to carry humans and scientific research to and from low-Earth orbit, including the International Space Station. The spacecraft, developed under Boeing’s Commercial Crew Transportation Capability (CCtCap) contract with NASA, is designed to launch atop an expendable rocket – initially, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V. It was designed to carry a crew of up to seven astronauts or a mix of crew and cargo.

StarlinerStarliner Crew Module Engines Service Module Reaction Control System Engines Service Module Reaction Orbital Maneuvering and Attitude Control Engines Launch Abort Engines

Key Features

Reusability: The Starliner will land on the ground with the aid of parachutes and airbags rather than in the water, enabling the craft to be used up to 10 times. 

Autonomy: The Starliner is designed for autonomous operations, reducing the training necessary for space station-bound astronaut crews.

Our Role

Service Module Orbital Maneuvering and Attitude Control Engines: Each Starliner service module will be equipped with 20 Aerojet Rocketdyne engines that generate 1,500 pounds of thrust each to support orbital maneuvers. They will also provide attitude control in the event of a low-altitude launch abort and provide direct abort capability at high altitudes.

Crew Module Reaction Control Engines: The Starliner crew module will use 12 Aerojet Rocketdyne MR-104J thrusters to orient itself during atmospheric re-entry. 

Service Module Reaction Control System Engines: Aerojet Rocketdyne’s Reaction Control System (RCS) engines on the Starliner service module each generate 100 pounds of thrust and will be used for on-orbit maneuvering and Space Station reboost. They would also provide attitude control in the event of a high-altitude abort. There will be 28 reaction control system engines on each Starliner service module.

Launch Abort Engines: Aerojet Rocketdyne is providing the 40,000-pound thrust launch abort engines that will separate the capsule and its service module from the rocket in the event of a launch or ascent failure. Each service module is equipped with four launch abort engines. If the launch goes smoothly, the propellant will be used to support mission operations.

Aerojet Rocketdyne is also equipping each Starliner with 160 valves, 18 tanks and more than 500 feet of ducts, lines and tubing. 

Resources

Press Releases

Dec. 18 Orbital Flight Test mission-a ULA Atlas V rocket, Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft onboard, rolls to the launch pad (Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida). Credits: NASA/Joel Kowsky
Nov. 21, 2019 - The Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft rolls out from the company’s Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Credits: Boeing
Nov. 21, 2019 - A transporter carrying the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft arrives at the Vertical Integration Facility, Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. Credits: NASA/Kim Shiflett
Nov. 21, 2019 - The Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft is guided into position above a ULA Atlas V rocket at the Vertical Integration Facility, Space Launch Complex 41, Florida’s Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Credits: NASA/Cory Huston
Oct. 16, 2019 - Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft's crew module is lifted onto its service module inside the Commercial Crew & Cargo Processing Facility, Kennedy Space Center, before its Orbital Flight Test. Credits: Boeing
CST-100 Crew Module Thrusters Processing and Installation at Boeing’s facility at Kennedy Space Center
CST-100 Crew Module Thrusters Processing and Installation at Boeing’s facility at Kennedy Space Center
CST-100 Crew Module Thrusters Processing and Installation at Boeing’s facility at Kennedy Space Center
Aug. 22, 2019 - Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft brings astronauts to the ISS. ETA TBD.NASA
An artist's illustration of Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft in orbit. Credits: Boeing

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