The shuttle's successors

The CST-100 is Boeing's entrant into the race to replace the shuttle as part of Nasa's Commercial Crew Development programme. Servicing the International Space Station is the main focus for the CST-100, although Boeing have said it may also be used for space tourism and for the space station planned by Bigelow Aerospace.

Diagram showing details of the CST 100

"We're focusing on keeping it simple"

John Elbon, Boeing

CST-100

  • 2015 launch date
  • Atlas V, Delta IV, Falcon 9 launch vehicles
  • 7 total crew capacity
  • $110.3m Nasa funding so far*
  • Lands with parachutes and airbags
CST-100 crew capsule

The spacecraft is slightly wider than the Apollo capsule, with a base about 15ft across (4.5m). It will be re-usable for up to 10 missions and will be launched from either an Atlas V, Delta IV or a Falcon 9 rocket. The spacecraft will land using parachutes.

*Total funding given in rounds one and two of Nasa's Commercial Crew Development programme (CCDev).

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