Boeing's Starliner to Get Second Chance After $359 Million Fix

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is set for an uncrewed test flight in December after NASA announced it would provide extra funding and support for the project. The decision comes after a failed crewed test flight, which was deemed a 'Type A mishap' due to severe problems.

NASA administrator Jared Isaacman said that the agency will invest $359 million to fix Starliner's issues, including replacing seals to prevent helium leaks and developing a process to prevent corrosion on reaction control system thrusters. The goal is to have a reliable crew vehicle option as SpaceX shifts its focus to Mars travel.

The first crewed mission of Starliner fell apart after astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were forced to extend their eight-to-10-day stay on the International Space Station to nine months due to technical issues. The astronauts eventually made it back home on a SpaceX Dragon capsule, leaving Starliner grounded.