NASA and Boeing Outline New Milestones for Starliner’s Return to Crewed Missions

Image: Nasa starline. Source: www.nasa.org

NASA and Boeing announced new steps for the future of the Starliner spacecraft on Monday, including plans for additional crewed missions and the certification of a new rocket to carry astronauts to low‑Earth orbit. The agency says the goal is to ensure the United States maintains autonomous crew‑transport capability as it prepares for the eventual transition from the International Space Station to future commercial platforms.

The update comes after NASA and Boeing spent months reviewing issues from Starliner’s first crewed mission. In 2024, the spacecraft returned to Earth without its crew, leaving two astronauts in orbit far longer than planned. What was supposed to be an eight‑day mission stretched into 286 days until another spacecraft brought them home.

Investigators identified 61 recommendations for adjustments and improvements. NASA says those changes are already underway and will be tested during the next uncrewed Starliner flight, currently targeted for January 2027.

The agency also confirmed plans to certify the Vulcan rocket, which is expected to replace the Atlas V in upcoming missions. If the timeline holds, Starliner would resume carrying astronauts in the Starliner‑2 mission, projected for 2028.

NASA officials say the upgrades are essential to ensuring long‑term U.S. access to orbit as the country prepares for a new era of commercial space stations and expanded private‑sector operations.