NASA has outlined the updated schedule for the Boeing Starliner program. The agency plans to conduct an uncrewed flight, Starliner-1, to the International Space Station as early as December 2024 or January 2025. This mission aims to evaluate technical improvements, verify thermal environments, and collect performance data for system certification.
The Starliner-2 crewed mission is currently scheduled for 2028. NASA also intends to organize the fifth and sixth Starliner flights to the ISS. Furthermore, the agency is collaborating with Boeing and United Launch Alliance to certify the Vulcan rocket for future crewed launches, following the retirement of the Atlas V launch vehicle.
The program follows a 2024 crewed test flight that faced thruster failures and helium leaks. The spacecraft returned to Earth uncrewed in September 2024, while the two astronauts remained on the ISS until March 2025. NASA classified this incident as a Class A mishap and issued 61 recommendations for safety improvements.
Boeing has implemented modifications to the service module based on the investigation findings. Beyond the immediate test schedule, NASA is in discussions with Boeing regarding a long-term partnership. The proposed plan includes assigning at least 10 additional crewed missions to the Starliner spacecraft over the coming years.
