What to Know About Boeing Starliner’s First Crewed Test Flight

NASA intends to deploy the reusable capsule for crew rotation missions to the International Space Station, but the program has been marred by delays.

Jack Daleo

Wednesday, May 01, 2024 at 04:41 PM ET

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Boeing’s reusable Starliner capsule approaches the International Space Station. [Courtesy: NASA]

Key Takeaways:

Boeing's CST-100 Starliner is undertaking its highly anticipated first crewed flight test, a critical step after nearly a decade of significant delays and cost overruns.
A successful mission will certify Starliner for routine astronaut transport to the International Space Station, providing NASA with a crucial second commercial provider alongside SpaceX.
This diversification is vital for NASA to ensure redundancy, reduce reliance on a single company for ISS access, and support broader U.S. space exploration goals.

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A historic NASA launch planned for early next week could have major implications for the space agency’s Commercial Crew Program, which ferries astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) and low-Earth orbit in partnership with private companies.

Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner, a semireusable vessel to the ISS that has been marred by nearly a decade of delays, will finally make its first crewed flight test on Monday, barring any further hiccups. Boeing on Friday confirmed that NASA gave Starliner the “go to proceed.”