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 as an uncrewed cargo flight to the International Space Station (ISS), putting an end to months of speculation about the vehicle’s future. The Starliner-1 mission is now slated for launch no earlier than April 2026, as NASA emphasizes the need for thorough testing, certification, and mission readiness activities before the spacecraft can embark on its journey. This decision highlights the ongoing collaboration between NASA and Boeing in the realm of commercial spaceflight and underscores the importance of safety and reliability in space missions.
Steve Stich, the manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, noted that both NASA and Boeing are diligently testing the Starliner’s propulsion system in preparation for two potential flights scheduled for next year. This focus on rigorous testing is crucial, especially given the challenges faced during the Starliner’s previous attempts to reach the ISS, including the 2019 Orbital Flight Test, which encountered software issues that prevented a successful docking. The upcoming uncrewed mission will serve as an important step in demonstrating the spacecraft’s capabilities and ensuring it meets NASA’s stringent safety standards before any crewed flights can be considered.
The Starliner program is part of NASA’s broader Commercial Crew Program, which aims to facilitate the development of safe, reliable, and cost-effective crew transportation to the ISS. With SpaceX already successfully conducting crewed missions with its Crew Dragon spacecraft, the pressure is on Boeing to deliver a successful Starliner mission. The anticipated uncrewed flight in 2026 will be a critical milestone for Boeing as it seeks to regain trust and confidence in its spacecraft following previous setbacks. As the space industry continues to evolve, the successful launch and operation of Starliner could pave the way for future commercial missions and collaborations in space exploration.
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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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