NASA and Boeing Outline Next Steps for Starliner Program, Including Uncrewed Test Flight in Late 2026/Early 2027

NASA and Boeing have provided an update on the Starliner spacecraft's development, announcing plans for an uncrewed Starliner-1 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) as early as December 2026 or January 2027. This mission will evaluate improvements made to the spacecraft following issues encountered during its 2024 crewed flight test. A crewed Starliner-2 mission is now targeted for 2028, incorporating further safety redesigns, including an additional thruster valve modification. NASA also intends to exercise options for a fifth and sixth Starliner flight and will work to certify the Vulcan rocket for Starliner crew transportation after the final Atlas V flight.