The Atlas V rocket and the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft
The Atlas V rocket
The Atlas V rocket, specifically configured for commercial crew missions, plays a crucial role in human spaceflight endeavours. Its configuration is tailored to carry the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft (CST stands for Crew Space Transportation), a key component in NASA's initiative to transport astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) from United States soil.
The CST-100 Starliner spacecraft is attached to the Atlas V using a unique launch vehicle adapter. The Atlas V rocket boasts a robust design, with a common core booster and two solid rocket boosters. The Centaur upper stage, utilizing liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellants, further propels the CST-100 spacecraft to its intended orbit.
- More than 600 Atlas rockets have flown since the late .
- In , an Atlas rocket launched John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth.
- One Atlas V solid rocket booster produces more thrust at launch than five Boeing 747 airplanes on takeoff!
The CST-100 Starliner spacecraft
The CST-100 Starliner is the newest spacecraft serving NASA's Commercial Crew Program. It will be one of only two vehicles capable of flying humans to the ISS.
The spacecraft, built by Boeing, launches atop an Atlas V rocket, and is designed to be reused up to 10 times. It was designed to carry as many as seven astronauts, or a mix of crew and cargo. For NASA missions to the ISS, the Starliner will carry four astronauts.
CST-100 Starliner approaches the International Space Station. (Credit: NASA)
Innovative design
- A weldless crew capsule reduces structural risk, while making production more efficient.
- The capsule is designed to land on solid ground, rather than splash down in the ocean – a first for an American-made capsule. Airbags on the bottom of Starliner absorb the impact.
- An autonomous docking system guides Starliner to the ISS, and also reduces training time for the crew. The pilot has manual controls as a backup option.
Starliner modules
The spacecraft consists of a crew capsule and a service module.
CST-100 Starliner at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. (Credit: Boeing)
-
Crew capsule
This is where crewmembers sit during launch and docking with the ISS, as well as during their return to Earth. It touches down on land, to be reused for future missions.
This module contains:
- life support system and equipment (breathable air, water, food)
- fully autonomous docking system
- touchscreen interfaces and wireless Internet
- heat shield for re-entry to Earth's atmosphere
-
Service module
This part of the spacecraft is used only once. It separates from the crew module prior to re-entry, and burns up in Earth's atmosphere.
This module contains:
- thrusters, for manoeuvring in orbit
- solar cells, for powering the spacecraft
- abort system, for an emergency during launch and ascent