NASA keeps Starliner in the frame for crewed flights
NASA and Boeing are continuing work on an uncrewed cargo flight and a possible return to crewed missions, but the precise timetable remains uncertain.
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NASA and Boeing spoke again on Monday about the future of Starliner, the capsule intended to carry astronauts to the International Space Station. Publicly available NASA documents confirm that an uncrewed flight and later crewed flights are being prepared, but a fully independent account of the latest decisions is still lacking.
NASA announced ahead of the meeting that the development of Starliner and plans for regular crewed flights would be discussed. The capsule first flew astronauts to the International Space Station in 2024, but returned without a crew after NASA assessed technical uncertainties surrounding its propulsion and helium systems.
The next planned mission is called Starliner-1. According to NASA, the flight is primarily intended to carry cargo to the space station and test improvements to the system in space. Whether the mission could be launched was still under review in the latest public schedule, partly because of technical problems and the handling of an investigative report.
NASA’s Office of Inspector General wrote in June that Starliner has not yet been certified for regular crewed flights. According to that report, three test flights revealed unexpected problems and varying levels of risk. SpaceX’s Crew Dragon is certified and had, according to the same source, completed twelve crewed missions.
NASA has previously stressed that two independent American transport systems are important for access to the space station. That argument supports continuing with Starliner, but it does not remove the certification requirements. A future crewed flight remains dependent on testing, technical modifications and a formal safety assessment.
Earlier this month, Ars Technica reported on the basis of several sources that NASA wanted to order additional Starliner missions and would help Boeing with technical modifications and the certification of another launch vehicle. At the time of publication, that information had not been fully confirmed in a public NASA decision.
The current position is therefore primarily a development story, not a confirmed return to regular crewed flights. NASA’s own safety reports provide grounds for remaining cautious about breakthrough language: Starliner is still in the certification phase, with an uncrewed interim step before astronauts may board again.
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The article is limited to information contained in public NASA and NASA OIG documents and marks additional reporting by Ars Technica as not fully confirmed. The status remains insufficient_sources because the full content of the latest briefing could not be independently verified.
- confirmed NASA and Boeing were to discuss the development and plans for regular crewed flights. — This is stated in the NASA media advisory. source
- confirmed Starliner-1 is intended to be an uncrewed cargo flight. — Confirmed in NASA’s flight planning. source
- confirmed Starliner has not yet been certified for regular crewed flights. — This is stated in the report by the NASA Office of Inspector General. source
- uncertain NASA wanted to order additional Starliner missions. — Ars Technica based this on several sources; a fully public NASA decision was not available. source
Editor's note
The NASA sources confirm the planned discussion, the uncrewed Starliner-1 mission and the absence of certification. The precise outcome of the 28 September meeting and any additional orders have not been sufficiently independently confirmed.Sources
- NASA, Boeing to Provide Update on Starliner Development — NASA
- NASA, Partners Update International Space Station 2026 Flight Plan — NASA
- NASA’s Management of Its Commercial Crew Program — NASA Office of Inspector General
- After being sidelined, Boeing's Starliner to get starring role in NASA's spaceflight plans — Ars Technica
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