Space Taxis Boeing vs SpaceX
In recent years, private companies have made significant strides in developing commercial space vehicles. Among these, two notable contenders in the growing space taxi business are Boeing and SpaceX. Both companies have promised to provide efficient and safe transportation to and from the International Space Station (ISS). In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how these two companies’ vehicles compare.
What are Space Taxis?
Space taxis are a subcategory of commercial transportation vehicles designed to carry passengers and cargo into space. Unlike traditional spacecraft, space taxis are reusable, which makes them more cost-effective. These vehicles are mainly used for missions that carry cargo or astronauts to and from the ISS.
The SpaceX Dragon 2
The SpaceX Dragon 2 spacecraft is part of the company’s Crew Dragon program. The spacecraft comprises an advanced capsule and a launcher. The Dragon 2 spacecraft is capable of carrying up to seven passengers, has a launch mass of 12,000 kg and is equipped with a state-of-the-art launch abort system to ensure the safety of the crew.
The Dragon 2 has already undergone successful unmanned test flights in March and August of 2019 –– the DM-1 and DM-2 missions, respectively. In May 2020, the first manned mission, named Demo-2, was launched, taking NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to the ISS.
The Boeing Crew Space Transportation-100 (CST-100)
Boeing’s CST-100 spacecraft is designed to ferry astronauts and cargo to the ISS. The spacecraft stands at 4.56 meters in height and 4.56 meters wide, with a total weight of about 13,300 kg. It has been designed to accommodate up to seven passengers, including a dedicated pilot if needed.
Boeing had plans for an unmanned test flight of the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft in December 2019, but an anomaly occurred during the launch abort test, preventing the spacecraft from reaching the ISS.
Boeing CST-100 vs SpaceX Dragon 2
Here are some numerical comparisons of the Boeing CST-100 and the SpaceX Dragon 2 spacecraft:
- Capacity: The CST-100 can accommodate up to seven passengers, while the Dragon 2 can carry up to seven passengers and cargo.
- Dimensions: The CST-100 is 4.56 meters in diameter, while the Dragon 2 is 4 meters in diameter.
- Mass: The CST-100 weighs around 13,300 kg, while the Dragon 2 weighs 12,000 kg.
- Testing: SpaceX's Dragon 2 has already undergone successful manned missions, and Boeing's CST-100 had an anomaly during an unmanned test flight.
- Cost: In terms of development costs, Boeing's program is estimated to have cost around $4.2 billion, while SpaceX's program has cost around $2.7 billion.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both space taxis have been developed to carry astronauts safely and efficiently to the ISS. While both companies have made significant strides in developing their spacecraft, SpaceX's Dragon 2 seems to be ahead of Boeing's CST-100 in terms of testing and successful missions. However, it's still too early to make a definitive judgment as the CST-100 has yet to undergo a successful manned mission.
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