Space taxi from Boeing will deliver astronauts to the ISS
The idea of delivering NASA crews to the ISS through small spacecraft has ripened for a long time. According to agency representatives, companies such as SpaceX and Boeing were involved in the development of such modules.
The latter announced on the eve of its intention to conduct unmanned space tests of its CST-100 Starliner this year. It is worth noting that the ship has already been tested for safe landing. The capsule “passed” the atmosphere, using a special screen that protects from high temperatures, and successfully opened the parachute. Now it remains only to experience the brainchild in outer space, which is what the company intends to do in the near future.
The thing is that an unmanned flight was planned last year, but then the CST-100 Starliner had problems with the fuel system. At the moment, according to the statements of Boeing representatives, all errors have been fixed and there are no doubts about the success of the project.
If this is true and the last tests will pass “without a hitch”, then the first group of astronauts will be able to go to the ISS in a new ship in August this year. The upcoming mission is called the Orbital Flight Test and will be launched from the Cape Canaveral station in Florida.
Meanwhile, preparatory work is also underway at the International Space Station. Special sensors are installed on the docking modules, which will allow the ships to be aligned with each other and to avoid unforeseen damage.
The latter announced on the eve of its intention to conduct unmanned space tests of its CST-100 Starliner this year. It is worth noting that the ship has already been tested for safe landing. The capsule “passed” the atmosphere, using a special screen that protects from high temperatures, and successfully opened the parachute. Now it remains only to experience the brainchild in outer space, which is what the company intends to do in the near future.
The thing is that an unmanned flight was planned last year, but then the CST-100 Starliner had problems with the fuel system. At the moment, according to the statements of Boeing representatives, all errors have been fixed and there are no doubts about the success of the project.
If this is true and the last tests will pass “without a hitch”, then the first group of astronauts will be able to go to the ISS in a new ship in August this year. The upcoming mission is called the Orbital Flight Test and will be launched from the Cape Canaveral station in Florida.
Meanwhile, preparatory work is also underway at the International Space Station. Special sensors are installed on the docking modules, which will allow the ships to be aligned with each other and to avoid unforeseen damage.
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