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 and Boeing have mutually agreed to reduce the number of definitive Starliner ISS missions from six to four, with two additional optional missions.
This decision follows significant technical issues during Starliner's inaugural crew flight test (CFT), including thruster problems and helium leaks, which required its astronauts to return on a SpaceX craft.
An additional uncrewed validation flight, Starliner-1, is now mandated no earlier than April (likely 2026) to certify the system for crew rotation missions.
Boeing has incurred approximately $2 billion in losses on the Starliner program due to delays and cost overruns, in contrast to the successful and expanding operations of SpaceX's Crew Dragon.
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.
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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.
