NASA and Boeing Press On with Starliner Development Plans Despite Previous Setbacks

NASA and Boeing are working together to overcome issues that have hindered the development of the Starliner spacecraft. The two organizations held a press conference at NASA's Kennedy Space Center to provide an update on their plans for crew flights to and from the International Space Station.

The Starliner, built by Boeing, has faced several problems since its first crewed flight in 2024. Two test pilots were stuck at the space station for nearly a year due to issues with the spacecraft's service module reaction control thrusters.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated that they are 'living through the most exciting era of space exploration since Apollo.' He emphasized that there will be growing demand for launch vehicles, transfer stages, landers, and spacecraft carrying astronauts. The agency plans to continue with a fifth and sixth flight to and from the space station using Starliner.

Boeing has made thermal modifications to the spacecraft's service module, which NASA will evaluate for improved performance on the next uncrewed mission, Starliner-1. The current plan is to return astronauts on Starliner-2 by 2028.