NASA Pours Billions More into Troubled Boeing Space Capsule

NASA is providing additional support and funding to Boeing's Starliner capsule program after a series of setbacks, including a botched mission in 2024 that stranded two test pilots at the International Space Station for nearly a year.

The agency has reclassified the incident as a Type A mishap, its most severe ranking. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced Monday that Boeing should be ready to launch a new and improved Starliner by December with cargo but no crew.

Astronauts will not strap in until 2028 due to ongoing safety redesigns. Manager Dana Weigel emphasized the need for absolute confidence in the capsule's safety before putting astronauts back on board.

NASA has invested billions of dollars in Boeing and SpaceX for ferry service, with Elon Musk's company launching its 14th crew for NASA later this week.