Boeing’s Starliner spent about three months at the International Space Station in 2024 after issues derailed its planned eight-day stay. [Credit: NASA]
Key Takeaways:
NASA has reduced its definitive contract with Boeing for Starliner missions to the International Space Station from six to four, with two optional flights.
This reduction follows significant issues encountered during Starliner's inaugural crew flight test (CFT) in June 2024, which led to astronauts returning on a SpaceX vehicle.
As a result, an additional uncrewed validation flight, Starliner-1, is now required (no earlier than April) before the spacecraft can be certified for crew rotation missions, contributing to Boeing's estimated $2 billion loss on the program.
NASA is downsizing its commitment to International Space Station (ISS) missions using Boeing’s Starliner CST-100.
The space agency on Monday said it and Boeing had “mutually agreed” to reduce the scope of the Commercial Crew Transportation Capability contract—awarded in 2014—from six definitive missions to four, with two options.
CREATE A FREE ACCOUNT
Sign up to keep reading
Create a free account to continue. Already a member? Sign in below.
Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.
