Crewed Spaceflight to Surge as Boeing,SpaceX Awarded NASA Contracts-Commercial Crew Program test schedule disclosed

Beginning in late 2017,the pace of crewed space flight programmes will pick up markedly,long hobbled by the gap between the end of the Space Shuttle Program and the beginning of the Orion and Commercial Crew Programs.Boeing and SpaceX have each been awarded six crew rotation missions that will fly following NASA certification of their capability to safely transport astronauts to and from Low Earth Orbit.The Commecial Crew Program will help NASA get full operational use of the national lab aboard the International Space Station for scientific research by increasing the number of astronauts on the ISS and allowing the crew to dedicate more time to research and testing,including activities preparing for deep space exploration.*
Each Commercial Crew spaceflight will transport up to four astronauts and 220 pounds of cargo to the ISS.*
The current schedule for the CCP spacecraft test flights is as follows:
SpaceX Crew Dragon uncrewed flight test:November 2017;
SpaceX Crew Dragon crewed flight test:May 2018;
Boeing CST-100 Starliner uncrewed flight test:1 June 2018;
Boeing CST-100 Starliner crewed flight test:August 2018.*
The Boeing CST-100 Starliner will launch on a United Launch Alliance (Boeing/Lockheed Martin) Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,Florida.
The SpaceX Crew Dragon will launch on a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center,Florida.*
Incidentally,NASA's Orion spacecraft is slated to launch on the new Space Launch System rocket its uncrewed Exploration Mission-1 in December 2018.*
The increase in deep space research and testing resulting from the CCP will facilitate the progress of the Orion missions to the Mars system and require more astronauts.The next class of NASA astronauts will be announced in 2017.*
Boeing (BA),Lockheed Martin (LMT)

Career Opportunity:NASA Astronaut

Today NASA announced it will soon be recruiting US citizens again for a new astronaut candidate class.More human spacecraft are in development now than at any time in NASA history,and future astronauts will soon be launching from the Florida Space Coast on US-made commercial spacecraft and deep space missions to advance a future mission to Mars,the agency said.Applications will be accepted from 14 December to mid-February.NASA will announce the selectees in mid-2017.You can apply at http://www.usajobs.gov.The class of 2017 will be flying on either the International Space Station;the Boeing CST-100 Starliner;the SpaceX Crew Dragon;or the Orion deep-space exploration vehicle.*
NASA selects from a diverse pool of US citizens with a variety of backgrounds such as pilots,engineers,scientists and medical doctors.*
The next group of American space explorers will inspire the Mars generation to reach for new heights,and help us reach the goal of putting boot prints on the Red Planet,said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden.Those selected for this service will fly on US-made spacecraft from American soil;advance critical science and research aboard the ISS;and help push the boundaries of technology in the proving ground of deep space.*
There are 47 astronauts currently in the active astronaut corps and more will be needed to crew future missions to the ISS and destinations in deep space.In its history,NASA has recruited more than 300 astronauts.
Requirements include a bachelor's degree in engineering,biological science,physical science or mathematics.Advanced degrees are desirable.Candidates must also have at least three years of related,progressively responsible professional experience,or at least 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft.They must also pass the NASA long duration spaceflight physical.*
For more information about this career and the requirements,please visit http://www.nasa.gov.astronauts.

Boeing's Commercial Space Business

Boeing's commercial space business got a reaffirmation Tuesday when NASA announced it had chosen Boeing's Crew Space Transportation-100 and SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft to begin flying US astronauts to the International Space Station in 2017.bOEING GOT A 4.2 billion dollar contract;while SpaceX got a 2.6 billion dollar contract.Boeing has been part of every American human space flight program,and we're honored that NASA has chosen us to continue that legacy,said John Elbon,Vice President and General Manager of Space Exploration.The CST-100 offers NASA the most cost-effective,safe,innovative and proven successor to the Space Shuttle.*
Boeing hopes to take commercial passengers and other governments to space eventually as well,working with Bigelow Aerospace and Space Adventures.*
In July,Boeing completed the critical design review and Phase Two Spacecraft Safety Review for the CST-100.It is the only competitor to pass a CDR as well as all Commercial Crew Integrated Capability development phase milestones on time and on budget.Boeing is building a factory in Florida for the capsules.It is working on an initial run of three spacecraft.John Mulholland,Commercial Space Exploration Program Manager noted the upcoming certification tests on pad abort.Well over 100 parts have been delivered to Boeing,which is utilising the old shuttle hangar OPM-3 for the assembly,integration and testing of the CST-100.*
The CST-100 has a seven person maximum capacity.It is a manned spacecraft that was built from scratch,which hadn't been done in decades.Unlike the shuttle program,Boeing will be delivering a service as well as hardware.CST-100 is a complete transportation system,including the Spacecraft;Launch Vehicle;Ground Operations;Mission Operations;and Recovery.*
The interior of the CST-100 features tablet displays and multicolour LED lighting,which is already used in Boeing commercial airplanes.The capsule can be manufactured without welding,for greater structural integrity.The Atlas V rocket has been selected for initial flight tests and verification of the spacecraft.*
Boeing partner Bigelow Aerospace is developing an inflatable commercial space station,while partner Space Adventures has already brokered space flights aboard the ISS.*
Boeing(BA)