NASA Backs Boeing Starliner with $359 Million Upgrade Plan

NASA will provide an additional $359 million to Boeing to fix technical deficiencies identified after the 2024 Crew Flight Test (CFT) of the CST-100 Starliner. An uncrewed Starliner-1 mission to the International Space Station is slated for December 2026 – January 2027 to validate the upgrades, followed by a crewed Starliner-2 flight targeted for 2028. NASA also plans to certify United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur rocket to replace the retiring Atlas V for future Starliner launches.

NASA, Boeing Provide Starliner Update NASA resets Boeing Starliner plan for 2028 crew return Space.comNASA, Boeing outline next steps for Starliner Next Crewed Boeing Starliner Flight Not Until 2028 Orlando SentinelNASA

The CFT launched on June 5 2024, carrying astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams. The capsule experienced helium leaks and loss of five of its 28 reaction-control-system thrusters. Although it docked, NASA classified the mission as a “Type A” mishap, the agency’s most severe incident category, and deemed the propulsion system too uncertain for crew return. The crew returned on a SpaceX Crew Dragon on March 18 2025. An independent review issued 61 corrective-action recommendations, citing valve-seal degradation, poppet extrusion, and corrosion in the thrusters.

NASA resets Boeing Starliner plan for 2028 crew return

• July 3 2024 – Photo of Starliner docked to the ISS.

Space.com

• June 5 2024 – Starliner CFT launch.

Space.com

• March 18 2025 – Crew returns via Dragon.

Forbes

• Dec 2026 / Jan 2027 – Planned window for uncrewed Starliner-1.

Next Crewed Boeing Starliner Flight Not Until 2028

• 2028 – Targeted date for crewed Starliner-2.

Space.com

• $359 million for upgrades and Vulcan certification.

NASA, Boeing Provide Starliner Update

• 61 recommendations from NASA’s investigation team.

NASA, Boeing outline next steps for Starliner

• 5 thrusters failed out of 28 during CFT.

Spaceflight Now

• 12 crew-module maneuvering thrusters will be replaced.

Spaceflight Now

• 6 Atlas V rockets remain for the current manifest; later flights will use Vulcan.

Boeing Starliner to fly uncrewed in December, crew in 2028

Astronaut Woody Hoburg, commander of Starliner-2, called the vehicle “a pilot’s spacecraft” and expressed confidence in the redesigns.

NASA, Boeing Provide Starliner Update

• “We 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,” — Jared Isaacman, NASA administrator

NASA

• “Starliner’s next flight is a critical step on the path to achieving full system certification and ensuring a sustained human presence in low Earth orbit,” — Dana Weigel, manager

NASA

• Uncrewed Starliner-1: launch window Dec 2026 – Jan 2027; will test thermal modifications, new valve seals, upgraded batteries, and parachute improvements.

Next Crewed Boeing Starliner Flight Not Until 2028

• Crewed Starliner-2: slated for 2028 pending successful data from Starliner-1.

Space.com

• Vulcan certification: NASA will work with Boeing and ULA to certify the Vulcan Centaur for crewed flights, replacing Atlas V after retirement.

NASA, Boeing Provide Starliner Update

• Future flight options: NASA plans to exercise options for fifth and sixth Starliner missions, extending the program through the ISS’s planned deorbit in the early 2030s and supporting emerging commercial stations.

NASA