NASA Throws $359 Million at Troubled Boeing Spacecraft

NASA is investing more money in Boeing's troubled astronaut capsule, Starliner, to get it back on track. The spacecraft has been plagued by issues since its test flight in 2024, leaving two pilots stuck at the International Space Station for nearly a year. NASA administrator Jared Isaacman announced that a new and improved Starliner will launch with cargo in December, but astronauts won't be on board until 2028 due to ongoing safety concerns.

The extra funding of $359 million is part of NASA's efforts to get two US-based means of getting astronauts to and from orbit. The agency wants to have a reliable taxi service for private companies building their own orbital outposts, which will replace the aging space station by 2031. SpaceX's Starship has already reached orbit and plans to focus on Mars travel.

Boeing's Starliner has undergone many fixes, including new valves and seals, but NASA is still cautious about putting astronauts back on board. Manager Dana Weigel emphasized that everyone must be confident in the spacecraft's safety before allowing crew members to strap in again. NASA astronaut Woody Hoburg will command the next Starliner flight, citing his predecessors Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams as 'American heroes'.