Science
NASA and Boeing plan uncrewed Starliner test ahead of crewed return
An uncrewed mission to the space station aims to validate hardware fixes before astronauts fly by 2028.
The short version
- NASA and Boeing announced plans to fly an uncrewed Starliner-1 mission targeted for December 2026 or January 2027 to validate fixes following 2024 thruster failures.[NASA News]
- The space agency plans to return astronauts to flight on Starliner-2 by 2028 and intends to exercise options for a fifth and sixth mission.[NASA News]
- Hardware updates include thermal modifications and thruster valve redesigns, alongside plans to certify United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket for future flights.[NASA News]
Key facts
- NASA and Boeing plan to launch an uncrewed Starliner-1 test mission to the International Space Station in December 2026 or January 2027.[NASA News]
- NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated that the agency aims to return astronauts to flight on Starliner-2 by 2028.[NASA News]
- NASA intends to exercise contract options for a fifth and sixth mission to the space station using Starliner.[NASA News]
- NASA, Boeing, and United Launch Alliance plan to certify the Vulcan rocket for crew transportation after the final Atlas V flight.[NASA News]
- A NASA investigation identified 61 recommendations after determining that thrusters operated outside qualification limits and citing lax oversight during the 2024 test flight.[Scientific American · NASA News]
What remains uncertain
- Whether the updated thruster valve designs and thermal modifications will successfully resolve past performance issues remains dependent on upcoming flight data and certification testing.[NASA News]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.