Context
The launch of the Boeing Starliner, which was set to take astronaut Sunita Williams to space for a third time, has been recently postponed due to a technical glitch.
Key Highlights
- Starliner is a partially reusable crew capsule, formally called CST-100 (team space transportation).
- It includes two modules.
- One is the crew module, which may be reused up to 10 instances, with a six-month turnaround.
- The other is the service module – the powerhouse of the spacecraft – which supplies electricity, propulsion, thermal control, air, and water in space. This module is expandable.
- On its first crewed test flight, Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft might be carrying two NASA astronauts and can be launched on an Atlas V rocket from the Kennedy Space Center to the International Space Station (ISS).
- The NASA astronauts are Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita Williams
- If the task is a hit, Boeing becomes the second one private corporation on the way to provide NASA crew transport to and from the ISS, along Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
What is the Mission?
- The main goal of the task is to see how Starliner performs in space with a crew onboard.
- It is supposed to dock with the ISS (a day after the release) for around 10 days before it returns to the Earth.
- But before Starliner routinely docks with the gap station, the crew contributors will test flying it manually.
- The crew may even take a look at seats, assess onboard lifestyles-help and navigation structures, in addition to examine the device that moves cargo into the ISS.
- The space suits worn via Wilmore and Williams can also be examined – these blue fits are around 40% lighter than their predecessors and feature touchscreen-sensitive gloves.
- During the go back journey, NASA and Boeing may be keeping an eye fixed on the spacecraft’s heat protection and parachutes.
- They will slow the descent before airbags open to soften the moment of effect with the ground.
- Unlike different crew capsules, Starliner will land on the ground and not in the sea.
What Caused the Delay?
- After NASA retired its space shuttle fleet in 2011, it invited commercial space companies to help it transport astronauts and cargo to the ISS.
- Two companies got the contracts: SpaceX and Boeing. While SpaceX has been ferrying astronauts to and from the ISS considering the fact that 2020, Boeing is yet to effectively launch its first crewed flight.
- Starliner’s first uncrewed flight itself got here after four years of postponement. Although it became set to take off in 2015, the organisation postponed it to 2019.
- When it did finally show up, a chain of software and hardware disasters thwarted the spacecraft from stepping into its planned orbit and docking with the ISS.
- It took more than 80 fixes for Starliner to make its first hit uncrewed flight.
- Even after attaining the goal, there have been concerns about the performance of the spacecraft’s safety and cooling system.
- As a result, Boeing delayed the launch of Starliner’s first crewed flight from 2023 to where we are today.
Why is the Mission Significant?
- The task’s success is important for both NASA and Boeing. Currently, NASA has only one private company, SpaceX, which can take its astronauts and cargo to the ISS.
- Starliner getting approval of conducting recurring flights to and from the ISS could give NASA a backup and option to not rely upon one company or vehicle for space launches.
- The success is more critical for Boeing. If Starliner completes its targets, it’s going to also assist Boeing venture SpaceX’s dominance in the commercial space industry.
Source: The Indian Express
UPSC Prelims Practice Question
Q.Explain the significance of the launch of Boeing’s Starliner. (2010)
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