Starliner, Explained (Part 1): Everything you need to know about Boeing's spacecraft

In the absence of the Space Shuttle, America's pivot to launching its own astronauts to low Earth orbit again came in the form of the Commercial Crew Program. Two companies, Boeing and SpaceX, were chosen in 2014 to design vehicles to ferry astronauts to and from the International Space Station.

No earlier than May 6, 2024, Boeing will launch its CST-100 Starliner spacecraft with its first two astronauts using a ULA Atlas V rocket. In this video, Spaceflight Now Reporter Will Robinson-Smith dives into the spacecraft itself and Boeing's development saga that led up to the vehicle's Crew Flight Test mission.

Chapters:
00:00 Overview
01:37 Video breakdown
02:08 What is Starliner?
05:23 Commercial Crew Program
13:58 Orbital Flight Test (OFT)
19:27 Orbital Flight Test 2 (OFT-2)
27:54 Crew Flight Test (CFT)
36:08 Part 2 tease and please subscribe

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[Sparkeee]

I hope these brave astronauts make it home safe.

[c]

Feel sorry for the crew having to go to space in an Ford Edsel.

[starman]

I wish they had Dragon prepped to fly on short notice if a rescue is necessary.

[SPDLTD]

8 years developing some adjustable seats. Good lord Boeing.

[dereks]

I'm no fan of Elon Musk but SpaceX has been flying crewed missions to the ISS since 2020, Boeing hasn't flown one. Boeing's cost per seat for its scheduled missions is USD 183 million. SpaceX's cost per seat is USD 88 million. Any way you look at it, NASA is getting a way better deal from SpaceX.

[Galastin]

I hope everything goes well. I think its a huge shame that the company who received the larger contract took over a decade to get to the flight test and is massively behind SpaceX.

[alexrebmann]

The company that makes the Atlas V rocket for the Starliner is 50% Boeing and 50% Lockheed. I will not be negative like most of the people hear. Hope all goes well and a safe return.

[natural_nc]

Good to meet you Will Robinson-Smith. I love your narrations on the launches. First time I've seen you in a video.

[Ughandi]

What an excellent summary of the program thus far! I'll be supporting from JSC! GO BUTCH & SUNI! GO STARLINER!

[davescrimshaw]

Wondering how well the hatches are attached.

[SpaceChickJen]

Great video. I love the clips from the 2010-2016 era in budget hearings! Enlightening. Bolden really gave it to them...the "I told you so".

[bbartky]

As always, great reporting Will! This is the best video I’ve seen about this mission. Really looking forward to Part 2.

[Green_House]

Could have a third video explaining in detail why SpaceX have done a better job in quicker time costing far less. 🤔

[EBaker]

It's an antique. Go with the Dragon!

[agaming]

Only reaching to the destination is not important but coming back is also necessary, everyone should understand this

[jbx.]

Star liner is cool 😎, What about the X37b docked in to the I.S.S.. I got it. I put it out there for the world to see on the YouTube.. some cool stuff, honestly, keep up the great work

[Tinman_]

This is a great overview of Starliner and its timeline up to this point. I'm not a fan, personally of videos longer than ~20 minutes, but this was very fluid and flowed very well. Great job

[psychonaut]

Awesome video, looking forward to the next one!

[m.theresa]

Wow! This’ll be interesting to track. Hope all will be safe and that travel and docking etc will be a success.

[PDLM]

I also won’t make negative comments but I’m glad humans are on it this time and if anything comes up they can quickly correct any issues like the control rockets firing continuously and using up the fuel. Good luck and success!