NASA Ramps Up Support for Troubled Boeing Space Capsule
NASA is stepping up its support for Boeing's astronaut capsule, Starliner, to get it flying again after several issues plagued its test flights in 2024. The agency has reclassified the botched mission as a 'Type A mishap,' which is its most severe ranking.
The Starliner capsule was supposed to transport astronauts to and from orbit, but its problems caused two test pilots, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, to be stuck at the International Space Station for nearly a year. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced 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 further safety redesigns that will take months or years to complete. Manager Dana Weigel emphasized the need for confidence that all of Starliner's problems have been resolved before putting astronauts back on board.