Story perspectives

NASA Targets Starliner-1 Launch to ISS in December 2026

By Drooid · Sep 29, 2026, 1:57 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

NASA will launch the uncrewed Starliner-1 to the ISS as early as December 2026.
NASA plans the crewed Starliner-2 flight for 2028 with astronaut Woody Hoburg as commander.
NASA is investing $359 million to upgrade Starliner and certify United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket.
Engineers will redesign service-module thruster valve poppets and replace seals to stop leaks.
Six Atlas V rockets will launch Starliner-1 through Starliner-4 before switching to Vulcan for later flights.

History

Historical Context

NASA built Columbia in Palmdale starting 1975; after a delayed debut it lifted off on 12 April 1981—exactly 20 years after Vostok 1—beginning the reusable shuttle era that later delivered 135 missions before retiring in 2011. The $359 million Starliner upgrade and United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan, targeting a 2028 crewed flight with commander Woody Hoburg, echo Columbia’s push for independent U.S. crew access.

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Story summary

NASA will launch the uncrewed Starliner-1 to the ISS as early as December 2026.
NASA plans the crewed Starliner-2 flight for 2028 with astronaut Woody Hoburg as commander.
NASA is investing $359 million to upgrade Starliner and certify United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket.
Engineers will redesign service-module thruster valve poppets and replace seals to stop leaks.
Six Atlas V rockets will launch Starliner-1 through Starliner-4 before switching to Vulcan for later flights.

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