An In-Depth Look At The Design of Boeing’s Starliner Spacecraft

Just over a month from now, Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is set to attempt its most important mission yet. After two past orbital test flights with varying results, this upcoming mission features the first crew ever to be launched on Starliner. With this big responsibility comes a lot of preparation and work to ensure the mission goes smoothly.

While Starliner has had somewhat of a rocky past, both NASA and Boeing are confident in its design and the changes made after different problems occurred. In reality, the spacecraft offers some unique qualities that differentiate it from other human-rated spacecraft within the industry. Not to mention a long history of development and testing starting back in 2010.

However, it brings up the question of how exactly does this spacecraft work and how will it compete with other options such as SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. In the time since the two companies began competing, Boeing has missed out on a lot of launch contracts that SpaceX is securing. Here I will go more in-depth into Starliner’s design, the features in place to keep its crew safe, what to expect in the coming weeks, and more.

Credit:

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:55 - Starliner Design
3:45 - Abort Capabilities

[slartibartfast]

The density of information on this channel is fantastic

[nikkokp]

I watch everyday I’m surprised this channel isn’t bigger

[AgentX]

Boeing Starliner is totally cutting edge technology from the 1990s!😮

[dansorkin]

I very much hope that Starliner will soon fly successfully with a crew if only to have a backup in case something goes wrong at some point with the SpaceX Crew Dragon system.

[eddiekulp]

Taking so long to launch most people thought it was canceled

[martythemartian]

Crew Dream Chaser would have been a better choice to make back at the start of Commercial Crew.

[larrykstanley]

My understanding is that the last time the DEATHLINER flew Boing discovered that the bailing-twine holding the heat shield in place had become loose. Boing has since doubled up on the twine as well as securing the shield with duct tape.

[WWeronko]

It is truly unfortunate that so much time and money has been wasted on Starliner. Boeing should have been able to do better. The Starliner is scheduled for only 6 NASA crewed flights and perhaps no more. Boeing is charging 2.1 times more per seat than SpaceX is. Over the course of 56 total "seats" flown to ISS across 14 missions, SpaceX's prices will work out to an average of $88 million per astronaut, versus $183 million per astronaut for Boeing. Considering that there is a limited supply of expensive man-rated Atlas 5 launch vehicles left and now no funding to man-rate Vulcans, there seems a hard limit to Starliner missions. It is possible to launch Starliners on a Falcon 9 but seemingly improbable. Starliner is a flawed design with much if its costly hardware placed in its disposal service module. The Dragon 2 has all equipment located in the reusable capsule with only solar panels and a radiator in the trunk. Moreover, the Atlas 5 that Starliner must use requires two solid boosters and two RL-10s on its second stage. The Dragon 2 uses a straight reusable Falcon 9. The cost difference is enormous and difficult to economize. Boeing's only hope for more Starliner use is with the proposed Orbital Reef space station. Boeing plans to build Orbital Reef cooperation with Blue Origin, NASA and other partners. It is a potential destination for future Starliner flights. However, the cost differential between Starliner and Dragons makes this prospect uneconomic. If the Dream Chaser pricing becomes less than the Starliner, it could become a spaceship without space contracts, and without a future.

[AgentX]

Lucky Space X Starship launch will be delayed again till September 2024 by FAA!🤡

[glenngoodrich]

Anything could happen with its track record, better have our 43rd president fly first on it...

[ManyHeavens]

wake up we won't be traveling in rockets, In fact Al will go before we, Is stop saying AI is Bad.😢

[garygallegos]

We payed for junk and your not doing a thing to make it right ! Starliner is the worst capsule ever ! We don't need junk .