NASA and Boeing Push Ahead with Starliner Program Amid Technical Hurdles and Reduced Flights

NASA and Boeing provided an update Monday on the Starliner program, nearly eight months after the capsule’s first and only crewed mission returned to Earth aboard SpaceX following an extended stay in orbit. In 2024, test pilots Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams successfully docked the Starliner with the International Space Station, but numerous technical issues forced NASA to send the capsule back empty, leaving the astronauts aboard the station for more than nine months.

Since then, engineers have been working to resolve problems with the capsule’s thrusters and other critical systems. Starliner’s next cargo flight to the ISS is now scheduled no earlier than April, pending further testing and certification.

In a statement, Boeing emphasized its continued commitment to the Starliner program, highlighting safety as the top priority. Meanwhile, NASA has reduced the planned number of Starliner missions from six to four. If the upcoming cargo mission goes smoothly, three remaining flights will focus on crew rotations before the space station is retired in 2030.

“NASA and Boeing are continuing to rigorously test the Starliner propulsion system in preparation for two potential flights next year,” said Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program Manager.

NASA initially contracted Boeing and SpaceX in 2014 — three years after the conclusion of the space shuttle program — to transport astronauts to and from the orbiting laboratory. Boeing’s contract was valued at $4.2 billion, while SpaceX’s contract totaled $2.6 billion.

SpaceX launched its first astronaut mission for NASA in 2020 and completed its 12th crewed flight for the agency this past summer.