Manned Missions, When They Happen, Will Launch From Complex 41

When the United States again undertakes manned spaceflight, the CST-100 spacecraft designed by Boeing will launch atop a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket, according to the company. If NASA selects Boeing for a development contract with sufficient funding, ULA will provide launch services for an autonomous orbital flight, a transonic autonomous abort test launch, and a crewed launch, all in 2015. "This selection marks a major step forward in Boeing's efforts to provide NASA with a proven launch capability as part of our complete commercial crew transportation service,” said John Elbon, vice president and program manager of Commercial Crew Programs and the source selection official for Boeing.

Boeing CST-100 Concept

The CST-100 is a reusable, capsule-shaped spacecraft that includes a crew module and a service module. It relies on proven, affordable materials and subsystem technologies that can transport up to seven people, or a combination of people and cargo.
 
The addition of ULA to the Boeing team enables the start of detailed design work on an integrated system for launch and spacecraft operations. The team also will refine launch abort operations that will meet NASA's stringent human rating requirements to safely transport crew and cargo to the International Space Station. Boeing conducted a best-value competition among U.S. launch service providers prior to selecting the Atlas V.

"We are pleased Boeing selected the Atlas V rocket and believe it is the right vehicle to help usher in the new commercial era in human spaceflight," said George Sowers, ULA's vice president of business development Thursday. "The Atlas V is a cost-effective, reliable vehicle and ULA stands ready to support Boeing's commercial human spaceflight program."

ULA Atlas V

Under the award, ULA will provide launch services from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station using the Atlas V 412 configuration with a single solid rocket booster with a dual engine upper-stage Centaur. The Atlas V system provides the earliest initial launch capability for commercial crew capability development, with an un-crewed orbital test flight and a crewed flight test in 2015.

"From its roots as the launch vehicle for the manned Mercury program in the 1960's, each new generation of the Atlas system has demonstrated advancements in reliability and performance," said Sowers.

ULA says the Atlas vehicle has a record of 97 consecutive successes – best in the world. The Atlas V has launched 26 times with 100 percent success. In addition, the Atlas V has received NASA's highest and most rigorous Category 3 Certification, which allows the Atlas V family of launch vehicles to fly NASA's most complex and critical exploration missions.

FMI: www.ulalaunch.com, www.boeing.com