It’s official: Boeing’s next flight of Starliner will be allowed to carry cargo only
NASA has officially confirmed that Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft will undertake its next mission, designated Starliner-1, as an uncrewed cargo flight to the International Space Station (ISS). This announcement, made on Monday, puts to rest months of speculation regarding the spacecraft’s future flights. The Starliner-1 mission is now targeted for launch no earlier than April 2026, contingent on the successful completion of extensive testing, certification, and mission readiness activities. NASA emphasized the importance of these preparations, highlighting the rigorous evaluations the Starliner propulsion system is currently undergoing.
Steve Stich, the manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, noted the ongoing efforts to ensure the Starliner is fully prepared for its upcoming missions. This includes two potential test flights scheduled for next year, which are critical steps towards restoring Boeing’s ability to transport astronauts to the ISS. The Starliner program has faced significant delays and challenges since its inception, including a failed uncrewed test flight in December 2019 that led to a comprehensive review and overhaul of the spacecraft’s systems. With the upcoming cargo mission, NASA aims to validate the spacecraft’s capabilities and reliability before it carries astronauts in the future. This mission is not only a crucial milestone for Boeing but also represents a significant step in NASA’s broader Commercial Crew Program, which aims to foster a robust space transportation industry.
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The US space agency ended months of speculation about the next flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, confirming Monday that the vehicle will carry only cargo to the International Space Station.
NASA and Boeing are now targeting no earlier than April 2026 to fly the uncrewed Starliner-1 mission, the space agency said. Launching by next April will require completion of rigorous test, certification, and mission readiness activities, NASA added
in a statement
.
“NASA and Boeing are continuing to rigorously test the Starliner propulsion system in preparation for two potential flights next year,” said Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, in a statement.
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