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As Shuttles Ship Out, Boeing Says it's On Track to Build New Spacecraft ![[CST-100 parachute test: photo courtesy of Boeing]](../images/content/photos/large_29247.jpg) [CST-100 parachute test: photo courtesy of Boeing] Boeing is a step closer to building a new space capsule to replace the retired shuttles. The company says it reached a key performance milestone for its capsule, which will be manufactured at the Kennedy Space Center. In a recent review, Boeing’s spacecraft design, launch system and ground operations were evaluated to make sure they comply with NASA requirements for the commercial crew program. Boeing’s 7 seat CST 100 capsule is designed to ferry astronauts to the International Space Station. The company is receiving funding from NASA to develop the capsule, which will be built in a converted shuttle hangar at the Kennedy Space Center. SpaceX, which is based in California, is also competing to send astronauts into orbit. In May SpaceX launched an unmanned space craft, the Dragon, which docked successfully with the International Space Station. The retired shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to fly out of Kennedy on the back of a NASA 747 on Monday. It will go on display in a museum in Los Angeles. |
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