NASA plans uncrewed Starliner flight, targets 2028 for astronauts' return on Boeing capsule
NASA and Boeing have set out a new plan for the Starliner spacecraft. An uncrewed mission, Starliner-1, could fly to the International Space Station in December 2026 or January 2027, and astronauts are not expected to ride the capsule again until a Starliner-2 mission targeted for 2028, NASA said in a September 28 release.
An uncrewed test first
NASA describes Starliner-1 as an engineering evaluation mission. It is meant to verify improvements to the spacecraft's thermal performance and gather flight data on changes made after the 2024 Crew Flight Test, according to the agency.
That 2024 flight carried astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who remained on the space station for 286 days after problems with Starliner's propulsion system, Spaceflight Now reported.
"Our current plan is to return astronauts on Starliner-2 by 2028," NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in the NASA release. Spaceflight Now and Aerospace Global News reported that NASA astronaut Warren 'Woody' Hoburg has been named commander of that crewed mission.
Hardware fixes
According to NASA, Boeing made thermal modifications to the service module, and the two organizations jointly decided to add a design change to a thruster valve. Further work includes new crew module thrusters, new batteries and changes to the parachute system.
Aerospace Global News reported that Boeing traced earlier helium leaks to valve seals degraded by exposure to nitrogen tetroxide, the propulsion system's oxidizer, and changed the seal material. Spaceflight Now reported that all 12 crew module thrusters are being replaced.
Dana Weigel, manager of NASA's Low Earth Orbit program, described the agency's approach: "With the safety of our space station crew and the public as our highest priority, we will test Starliner's propulsion system," she said in the NASA release.
A new rocket later on
Starliner has so far flown on United Launch Alliance's Atlas V. NASA said it will work with Boeing and United Launch Alliance to certify the Vulcan rocket for crew missions after the Atlas V's final flight. Spaceflight Now reported that six Atlas V rockets remain in inventory for Starliner. NASA also said it is adding two more crew missions, flights five and six, to the program.
Why it matters
NASA wants two U.S. companies able to carry astronauts to orbit. Spaceflight Now reported that the agency is trying to restore Boeing as a second crew transportation provider to reduce its dependence on SpaceX, and that a second provider becomes important as commercial space stations are expected to replace the ISS after 2030. Weigel made the same point. "Certifying Boeing's Starliner is important for both supporting ISS and also for follow-on future commercial destinations," she said, as quoted by Spaceflight Now.
Sources
- NASA, "NASA, Boeing Share Update on Commercial Starliner Development Plans"
- Spaceflight Now, "NASA plans unpiloted Starliner test flight at end of year"
- Aerospace Global News, "NASA resets Boeing Starliner plan for 2028 crew return"
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
