NASA Bails Out Boeing's Starliner with $359 Million Boost
NASA is providing extra support and funding to Boeing's astronaut capsule, Starliner, after its troubled mission in 2024. The capsule had several problems during its test flight, causing two test pilots to be stuck at the International Space Station for nearly a year.
The mission was later reclassified as a crew-endangering 'Type A mishap,' NASA's most severe ranking. Despite this setback, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced that Boeing should be ready to launch a new and improved Starliner by December with cargo but no crew on board.
Astronauts will not strap in until 2028 due to the need for further safety redesigns. Manager Dana Weigel emphasized that everyone must be confident that all of Starliner's problems have been resolved before putting astronauts back on board.