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 contractual commitment for Boeing Starliner missions to the International Space Station from six to four, with two optional flights, citing ongoing issues and delays.
The Starliner's inaugural crew flight test in June 2024 encountered significant problems, including thruster and helium leaks, leading to an extended stay for astronauts and an unplanned uncrewed return of the spacecraft.
As a result of the flight test issues, an additional uncrewed validation mission (Starliner-1) is now required before the spacecraft can be certified for crew rotation missions, which NASA aims for in 2026.
The Starliner program has faced numerous delays since 2015 and has resulted in approximately $2 billion in losses for Boeing, contrasting with the more successful and active SpaceX Crew Dragon 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.
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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.
