Boeing Starliner Calypso facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Calypso |
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Calypso at Cape Canaveral in April 2024.
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| Type | Space capsule |
| Class | Boeing Starliner |
| Manufacturer | Boeing Defense, Space & Security |
| Technical details | |
| Dimensions | 5 m × 4.5 m (16 ft × 15 ft) |
| Launch mass | 13,000 kg (29,000 lb) |
| Power | Solar cells; 2.9 kW (3.9 hp) |
| Flight history | |
| First flight | Boeing Orbital Flight Test 20–22 December 2019 |
| Last flight | Boeing Crewed Flight Test 5 June 2024 – 7 September 2024 |
| Flights | 2 |
The Boeing Starliner Calypso (also known as Spacecraft 3) is a special kind of space capsule. It was built by a company called Boeing for NASA's Commercial Crew Program. Think of it as a space taxi designed to carry astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS).
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What is the Starliner Calypso?
The Calypso is one of the spacecraft in the Boeing Starliner fleet. Its main job is to transport astronauts safely into space. It helps NASA make sure there are different ways to send people to the ISS. This is important because it means space travel can continue even if one type of spacecraft has a problem.
The Calypso is about 5 meters (16 feet) tall and 4.5 meters (15 feet) wide. It weighs around 13,000 kilograms (28,660 pounds) when it launches. It gets its power from Solar cells, which turn sunlight into electricity. The Calypso launches into space on a powerful Atlas V rocket.
First Flight: The Orbital Flight Test
The Calypso had its first flight on December 20, 2019. This mission was called the Boeing Orbital Flight Test (Boe-OFT). It was an uncrewed test flight, meaning there were no astronauts on board. The main goal was to fly to the International Space Station. It would then dock with the station and return to Earth after about a week.
However, during this first flight, the spacecraft had some computer problems. These issues stopped it from reaching the ISS. Instead of a week in space, Calypso landed safely after just two days. Because of these problems, Boeing had to plan a second uncrewed test flight to make sure everything worked correctly before carrying astronauts.
Second Flight: Carrying Astronauts to Space
After the first test flight and another successful uncrewed flight (using a different Starliner spacecraft), Calypso was ready for its next big mission. On June 5, 2024, it launched again for the Boeing Crewed Flight Test. This time, it carried two astronauts to the International Space Station.
This mission was a very important step. It showed that the Calypso spacecraft could safely carry humans into space. This helps NASA continue its important work on the ISS, where astronauts live and do science experiments.
Why is Calypso Important?
The Calypso spacecraft plays a key role in the future of space travel. By providing another way to send astronauts to the International Space Station, it helps keep the station fully staffed. This means more research can be done in space. It also shows how companies like Boeing work with NASA to push the boundaries of space exploration.
