CST-100

UTC Aerospace Systems has announced that it is working with Boeing to develop CST-100 commercial crew transportation system, which will fly astronauts to the International Space Station and other low-earth orbits.

Boeing has secured a $4.2bn commercial crew transportation capability contract in September to develop the CST-100 spacecraft, launch vehicle, and ground and mission operations for Nasa’s commercial crew programme.

UTC Aerospace Systems will design and produce components for the environmental control and life support subsystem (ECLSS) on the CST-100.

"The ECLSS is designed to sustain life and provide an Earth-like atmosphere for the astronauts."

The company plans to use additive manufacturing processes for affordable design, integration, qualification and production of the components.

The ECLSS is designed to sustain life and provide an Earth-like atmosphere for the astronauts as they travel in the vehicle.

It will comprise various components of the air revitalisation system and the pressure control system, including the cabin fans, heat exchanger, a carbon dioxide removal system, trace contaminant control, valves and regulators, and a smoke detector.

The subsystem will also have an active thermal control system with a liquid cooling loop comprising a pump package and sublimator heat rejection device, to maintain optimal temperatures as it will be subjected to extreme temperatures of outer space.

UTC Aerospace Systems plans to deliver the components in 2016 and the CST-100 is scheduled to take its first flight to ISS in 2017.

The company has developed the ECLSS for the ISS, the space suit and the Orion spacecraft for Nasa space programmes.

Image: An artist’s rendering of CST-100 spacecraft. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.

Defence Technology