NASA plans to order two additional crewed Starliner missions from Boeing. The agency will also provide funding to address propulsion system issues and assist in certifying a new launch vehicle for the spacecraft.
The decision follows SpaceX's stated intention to retire its Crew Dragon vehicle by 2030. SpaceX has completed 13 crewed missions for NASA to date, while Boeing has faced significant technical challenges with Starliner, including a 2024 flight classified as a Type A mishap.
Since 2010, NASA has paid approximately $3.1 billion to SpaceX and $5.1 billion to Boeing for vehicle development. Boeing has incurred over $2 billion in charges due to ongoing Starliner development difficulties.
The current Atlas V rocket, used for Starliner, has only six units remaining. NASA's support for a new launch vehicle will likely involve a competition between United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan and Blue Origin’s New Glenn, potentially facilitating future human spaceflight capabilities.
