Boeing Starliner CST-100: The Next Generation of Spacecraft
A Comparison to the SpaceX Crew Dragon
Introduction
The Boeing Starliner CST-100 is a reusable spacecraft designed to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station and other destinations in low Earth orbit. It is the first spacecraft to be developed under NASA's Commercial Crew Program, and it is scheduled to make its first crewed flight in 2023.
The Starliner is a cylindrical capsule with a diameter of 15 feet, which is slightly larger than the Apollo capsule. It can accommodate up to seven astronauts, and it has a pressurized volume of 300 cubic feet. The Starliner is powered by a single Atlas V rocket, and it can fly up to 1,000 miles above the Earth's surface.
Comparison to the SpaceX Crew Dragon
The SpaceX Crew Dragon is another reusable spacecraft that is being developed under NASA's Commercial Crew Program. It is scheduled to make its first crewed flight in 2021.
The Crew Dragon is a conical capsule with a diameter of 12 feet. It can accommodate up to seven astronauts, and it has a pressurized volume of 270 cubic feet. The Crew Dragon is powered by a single Falcon 9 rocket, and it can fly up to 400 miles above the Earth's surface.
The Starliner and the Crew Dragon are both designed to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station. However, there are some key differences between the two spacecraft.
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