NASA and Boeing say Starliner’s next flight will be uncrewed as the program works through propulsion and thermal changes identified after the spacecraft’s troubled crewed test mission.
The Starliner-1 engineering mission could fly as early as December 2026 or January 2027. NASA said the flight will be used to validate spacecraft modifications and collect the data needed before astronauts return to the vehicle.
Crewed return targeted for 2028
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the agency’s current plan is to return astronauts on Starliner-2 by 2028. The agency intends to preserve Starliner as a second U.S. crew transportation system alongside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.
Boeing has made thermal changes to Starliner’s service module and is working with NASA on an additional thruster valve modification. Other planned changes include new crew-module thrusters, batteries and parachute improvements.
NASA also plans more Starliner missions
NASA said it intends to exercise options for additional Starliner flights to the International Space Station and will work with Boeing and United Launch Alliance to certify the Vulcan rocket for future crew transportation after the Atlas V program ends.
The uncrewed mission will be a critical test of whether the revised system can meet certification requirements for routine astronaut flights.
Sources: NASA official Starliner development update and Associated Press.
