kids encyclopedia robot

Boeing Starliner-1 facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Boeing Starliner-1 is an important space mission. It is also known as Post Certification Mission-1 (PCM-1). This mission will be the first time the Boeing Starliner spacecraft carries a crew of astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) for a regular mission. It is part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program.

This mission was originally planned to happen after a test flight called the Boeing Crew Flight Test (CFT). However, the CFT had some technical problems. Because of these issues, the launch date for Starliner-1 is not yet known. It is expected to launch no earlier than early 2026.

Quick facts for kids
Boeing Starliner-1
Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft docking to the ISS.jpg
Artist's impression of a Boeing Starliner docking to the ISS
Names
  • Post Certification Mission-1
  • PCM-1
Mission type ISS crew transport
Operator Boeing Defense, Space & Security
Mission duration 180 days (planned)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft Boeing Starliner Spacecraft 2
Spacecraft type Boeing Starliner
Manufacturer Boeing Defense, Space & Security
Launch mass 13,000 kg (29,000 lb)
Crew
Crew size 4
Members
  • Scott D. Tingle
  • TBA
  • Joshua Kutryk
  • TBA
Start of mission
Launch date TBD
Rocket Atlas V N22
Launch site Cape Canaveral, SLC-41
Contractor United Launch Alliance
End of mission
Landing site TBD
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric orbit
Regime Low Earth orbit
Inclination 51.66°
Docking with ISS
Docking port Harmony forward or zenith
Time docked 180 days (planned)
Commercial Crew Program
← SpaceX Crew-12
SpaceX Crew-13 →

Who Will Fly on Starliner-1?

The astronauts for Starliner-1 have changed several times. This is because the Starliner program has faced many delays.

In 2022, NASA said that Barry Wilmore, Michael Fincke, and Sunita Williams were possible astronauts for Starliner missions. Later, Sunita Williams was assigned to the Boeing Crew Flight Test (CFT) instead.

On September 30, 2022, Scott D. Tingle was chosen as the commander for Starliner-1. Michael Fincke was assigned as the pilot.

Then, on November 22, 2023, Joshua Kutryk from the Canadian Space Agency joined the mission. Kimiya Yui from Japan was also expected to be on board.

However, on March 27, 2025, Michael Fincke and Kimiya Yui were moved to a different mission, SpaceX Crew-11. This happened because of ongoing tests with the Starliner spacecraft after the technical issues during the Boeing Crew Flight Test.

Other astronauts who were once assigned to Starliner-1 also moved to different missions. For example, Jeanette Epps was reassigned to SpaceX Crew-8. Koichi Wakata was reassigned to the SpaceX Crew-5 mission.

A Russian cosmonaut is not expected to be on this first regular Starliner flight. The Russian space agency, Roscosmos, wants to see successful Starliner flights first.

Prime crew
Position Crew member
Commander United States Scott D. Tingle, NASA
Second spaceflight
Pilot TBA
Mission Specialist Canada Joshua Kutryk, CSA
First spaceflight
Mission Specialist TBA

What is the Mission About?

This mission was planned to be the first time a Starliner spacecraft would be reused. The spacecraft first flew without a crew in December 2019. This was called the Boeing Orbital Flight Test.

On December 22, 2019, astronaut Sunita Williams named that spacecraft "Calypso." However, "Calypso" was later used for the Boe-CFT instead.

For the Starliner-1 mission, a different spacecraft will be used. This is Boeing Starliner Spacecraft 2, which flew during the Starliner Orbital Flight Test-2.

The path for Starliner to be fully approved by NASA has become uncertain. This is due to various technical problems during the Boeing Crew Flight Test. NASA even decided it was too risky to bring astronauts back to Earth on the Starliner during that test. It is possible that Boeing might need to do another crewed test flight. This would cause more delays for Starliner-1.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Boeing Starliner-1 para niños

kids search engine
Boeing Starliner-1 Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.