NASA Backs Boeing's Struggling Starliner Spacecraft

NASA has decided to reinvest in Boeing's Starliner spacecraft after SpaceX signaled it wants to sunset its crew Dragon flights.

The agency believes that with $4.2 billion invested, Starliner represents the fastest path to preserving reliable crewed access to low-Earth orbit, according to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.

NASA has committed an additional $359 million to deal with corrective issues since the 2024 Crew Flight Test and is assisting in certifying United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket to fly Starliner.

The first operational crew flight, commanded by NASA astronaut Woody Hoburg, won't come until 2028 due to ongoing fixes related to helium leaks and thruster issues.