NASA and Boeing Revive Starliner Spacecraft with New Plans and Upgrades

NASA and Boeing are working together to get the Starliner spacecraft back in the air after a series of setbacks. The space agency plans to exercise options for two additional crew missions, Starliner-5 and Starliner-6, to the International Space Station.

The uncrewed Starliner-1 mission is expected to fly in December 2024 or January 2027 and will be used to test improvements made to the spacecraft. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said that the agency is committed to having multiple crew transportation options and has been working closely with Boeing to address issues identified on previous flights.

The Starliner spacecraft was originally intended to carry astronauts to the ISS, but its first crewed flight in 2024 experienced a loss of control due to issues with the service module reaction control thrusters. Boeing has made thermal modifications to the spacecraft's service module, which NASA will evaluate for improved performance on Starliner-1.

The agency plans to return astronauts on Starliner-2 by 2028 and is working with United Launch Alliance to certify the Vulcan rocket for use after the Atlas V rocket's final flight.