Full Breakdown
NASA Targets December 2026 Uncrewed Starliner Test and 2028 Crewed Return
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Upcoming Uncrewed Starliner-1 Test Flight
NASA and Boeing plan to launch the uncrewed Starliner-1 mission to the International Space Station no earlier than December 2026. The flight will carry cargo and evaluate propulsion upgrades, seal replacements, and new thruster hardware. Success would allow certification for crewed flight in mid-2028, when astronaut Woody Hoburg is slated to command Starliner-2.
Background: 2024 Crew Flight Test and Type A Mishap
On June 5 2024, Starliner launched astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita Williams. During approach, five of the capsule’s 28 reaction-control-system thrusters failed and multiple helium leaks developed. NASA classified the incident as a “Type A” mishap, its highest-severity rating, and the crew returned to Earth aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon on March 18 2025 after a 286-day ISS stay.
Planned Fixes and Program Costs
NASA’s investigation issued 61 recommendations, including new seal materials, corrosion-mitigation procedures, redesigned valve poppets, upgraded batteries, and parachute refinements. Future Starliner launches will shift from United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V to the human-rated Vulcan Centaur rocket. The combined upgrades and Vulcan certification are budgeted at $359 million.
Timeline of Key Milestones
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 2024 | Crew Flight Test launch; thruster failures and helium leaks. |
| September 2024 | Starliner returns uncrewed; crew remains on ISS. |
| March 2025 | Wilmore and Williams return on SpaceX Dragon. |
| September 28 2026 | NASA announces December-to-January window for Starliner-1. |
| Dec 2026 – Jan 2027 | Planned launch window for uncrewed Starliner-1. |
| Mid 2028 | Targeted crewed Starliner-2 mission with Woody Hoburg as commander. |
Data & Statistics
- $359 million for upgrades and Vulcan certification.
- 5 of 28 RCS thrusters failed in 2024; 5 helium leaks recorded.
- 61 corrective recommendations issued.
Official Statements & Responses
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the agency is adding funding and resources to keep Starliner on the “right path,” emphasizing the need for a second U.S. crew-transport system. Dana Weigel, manager of NASA’s Low-Earth-Orbit Program, highlighted the seal changes, corrosion-prevention steps, and thruster redesigns, noting that the uncrewed flight will test these under stricter performance parameters. Both officials stressed that Vulcan certification is essential after the Atlas V retirement.
Verbatim Quote
> “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,” — Jared Isaacman, NASA administrator
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the precise launch window for Starliner-1. Some state “no earlier than December 2026,” while others cite a broader “December-to-January” timeframe. Both agree the flight is slated for the end of 2026, but the exact month remains unsettled.
Why It Matters
Restoring Starliner as a certified crew vehicle preserves NASA’s policy of maintaining two independent U.S. launch providers for low-Earth-orbit missions. With the ISS slated for de-orbit in the early 2030s and commercial stations emerging, a reliable second vehicle hedges against the eventual phase-out of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. Successful completion of Starliner-1 will determine whether the program can meet its plan for up to five crewed flights through Starliner-6, supporting both ISS operations and future commercial destinations.