{"id":556301,"date":"2026-09-29T05:26:57","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T19:26:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?guid=e94af5176751eb71a838588b575dc802"},"modified":"2026-09-29T05:26:57","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T19:26:57","slug":"nasa-boeing-share-update-on-commercial-starliner-development-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=556301","title":{"rendered":"NASA, Boeing Share Update on Commercial Starliner Development Plans"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
\"Boeing's<\/a><\/figure>
\n
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft that launched NASA’s Crew Flight Test astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station is pictured docked to the Harmony module’s forward port. This long-duration photograph was taken on July 3, 2024, from the orbital complex as it soared 256 miles above the Arabian Sea off the coast of Mumbai, India.\n<\/div>\n
Credit: NASA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

On Monday, NASA and Boeing provided an update on the company\u2019s Starliner spacecraft, including adding additional crew missions and certifying a new rocket for crew transportation to low Earth orbit.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are living through the most exciting era of space exploration since Apollo,\u201d said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. \u201cAs this domain continues to open, there will be growing demand for launch vehicles, transfer stages, landers, and, of course, spacecraft that carry astronauts. NASA has been committed to having multiple crew transportation options since the beginning of the Commercial Crew Program. We have worked closely with Boeing to address the issues identified on previous Starliner flights, and we intend to see this vehicle return to flight in support of the International Space Station and future commercial destinations.\u201d<\/p>\n

The agency intends to exercise options for a fifth and sixth flight to and from the space station using Starliner, and will work with Boeing and United Launch Alliance to certify the Vulcan rocket for use after the Atlas V rocket\u2019s final flight.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are starting with an uncrewed Starliner-1 mission to the International Space Station to validate the improvements made to the spacecraft and gather the flight data we need,\u201d said Isaacman. \u201cFrom there, we will use what we learn, continue implementing the corrective actions identified by our Program Investigation Team, and complete the testing and certification required for crewed flight. Our current plan is to return astronauts on Starliner-2 by 2028.\u201d<\/p>\n

NASA\u2019s commercial crew efforts aim to preserve a U.S. crew transportation capability for ensuring continued access to space. The work is challenging, however, it is essential for responsibly concluding space station operations, transitioning to commercial space stations, and expanding commercial access.<\/p>\n

In February, NASA released findings from the agency\u2019s Program Investigation Team<\/a> outlining the programmatic and technical issues resulting in an uncrewed return of the Starliner during its first crewed flight in 2024. In total, the investigation identified 61 recommendations to NASA to ensure that future missions meet the high standards required for human spaceflight.<\/p>\n

The report specifically identified issues with Starliner\u2019s service module reaction control thrusters operating outside of their engineering qualification, which resulted in the loss of control experienced during its Crew Flight Test. Through significant ground testing and analysis, NASA and Boeing learned the service module thruster performance issues resulted from a combination of factors, including the thermal environment and features inherent in its design.<\/p>\n

Based on the findings, Boeing has made thermal modifications to the spacecraft\u2019s service module which NASA will evaluate for improved performance on Starliner-1. NASA and Boeing also have jointly decided to implement an additional thruster valve design modification in support of spacecraft certification and future crewed flights.<\/p>\n

The uncrewed Starliner-1 has the potential to fly in December of this year or January 2027. It will serve as an engineering evaluation mission to verify improved thermal environments, obtain necessary performance data for system qualification, and identify residual risk ahead of crewed missions.<\/p>\n

\u201cStarliner\u2019s next flight is a critical step on the path to achieving full system certification and ensuring a sustained human presence in low Earth orbit,\u201d said Dana Weigel, manager of NASA\u2019s Low Earth Orbit Program. \u201cWith the safety of our space station crew and the public as our highest priority, we will test Starliner\u2019s propulsion system through targeted demonstration objectives and disciplined operational controls. These steps are essential to validating Starliner\u2019s thermal performance which is a key element for the certification.\u201d<\/p>\n

Following the flight, NASA and Boeing will complete the service module thruster valve design modification, which is focused on addressing poppet seal extrusion and its adverse effects on thruster performance. Boeing also will implement other improvements across the spacecraft including installation of new crew module thrusters, batteries, and minor modifications to the parachute system for increased performance and reliability in support of system certification.<\/p>\n

To learn more about NASA\u2019s missions, visit:<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.nasa.gov<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

-end-<\/p>\n

George Alderman \/ Josh Finch
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1600
george.a.alderman@nasa.gov<\/a> \/ joshua.a.finch@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Share<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n