Boeing Starliner-1 facts for kids
Artist's impression of a Boeing Starliner docking to the ISS
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| Names |
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|---|---|
| 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 |
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| 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) |
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Commercial Crew Program
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Boeing Starliner-1 is a future space mission. It is also known as Post Certification Mission-1 (PCM-1). This mission will be the first regular flight of the Boeing Starliner spacecraft with a crew.
The Starliner-1 will carry astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). This flight is part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. This program lets private companies like Boeing transport astronauts to space. The mission was planned to launch after a special test flight with a crew. However, that test flight has faced some challenges. As of May 2025, the exact launch date for Starliner-1 is still being decided.
Contents
Who is Flying on Starliner-1?
Astronauts for the Mission
The astronauts chosen for Starliner missions have changed over time. This is because the Starliner program has had some delays. NASA and its partners carefully pick who will fly on each mission.
On September 30, 2022, Scott D. Tingle was named the commander. He is an astronaut from NASA. Joshua Kutryk from the Canadian Space Agency joined the mission on November 22, 2023. The names of the other two crew members are still to be announced.
Changes in Crew Members
Because of the delays, some astronauts first chosen for Starliner-1 moved to other missions. For example, Sunita Williams was planned for Starliner-1. She later flew on an earlier test flight instead. Jeanette Epps and Koichi Wakata were also assigned to Starliner-1 at different times. They later moved to SpaceX missions.
Russian Cosmonauts
A Russian cosmonaut is not expected to be on this first regular Starliner flight. The Russian space agency, Roscosmos, wants to wait. They prefer to see the Starliner complete its first crewed flights successfully. After that, they might assign their cosmonauts to it.
| Position | Crew member | |
|---|---|---|
| Commander |  Scott D. Tingle, NASASecond spaceflight |
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| Pilot | TBA | |
| Mission Specialist |  Joshua Kutryk, CSAFirst spaceflight |
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| Mission Specialist | TBA | |
About the Starliner Mission
The Starliner Spacecraft
This mission was first planned to use a Starliner spacecraft named "Calypso." This spacecraft had already flown an uncrewed test mission in 2019. However, "Calypso" was later used for the crewed test flight. So, a different spacecraft will be used for Starliner-1. This spacecraft, called "Spacecraft 2," flew another uncrewed test flight in 2022.
Challenges and Future Plans
The Starliner program has faced some technical challenges. These happened during its test flights. These issues have caused delays in getting the spacecraft ready. NASA needs to fully approve it to carry astronauts regularly.
It is possible that Boeing might need another crewed test flight. This would happen before Starliner-1 can launch. This could mean more delays for the mission. NASA and Boeing are working closely. They want to make sure the Starliner is safe and ready. Its job is very important: transporting astronauts to the International Space Station.
See also
In Spanish: Boeing Starliner-1 para niños
