NASA and Boeing are expanding their collaboration on the Starliner program, planning a fifth and sixth mission to the International Space Station. The agencies are also working to certify the Vulcan rocket as a successor to the Atlas V for future crewed transport.
The next mission, Starliner-1, will be uncrewed and is scheduled for late 2026 or early 2027. This flight aims to validate thermal modifications and gather data on the propulsion system. NASA expects to resume crewed flights on Starliner-2 by 2028.
The decision follows a 2024 investigation that issued 61 recommendations after the first crewed flight experienced thruster control issues. Boeing has since modified the service module to address thermal performance and seal extrusion problems.
Additional hardware upgrades are planned for the spacecraft, including new crew module thrusters, updated batteries, and adjustments to the parachute system. These improvements are intended to meet safety standards for full system certification.
