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NASA, Boeing Target Early 2026 for Next Starliner Flight After Propulsion Fault

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NASA announced on Thursday that it is working with Boeing to test and certify the CST-100 Starliner for its next crewed mission, which could take place as early as late 2025 or early 2026. The update comes after the spacecraft’s troubled debut crewed flight to the International Space Station (ISS), which was significantly extended due to a propulsion system malfunction.

The mission, originally planned as an eight-day trip, ended up keeping astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams in orbit for over nine months. They returned earlier this month aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule.

Testing and Analysis Underway
NASA and Boeing are now planning a series of propulsion system tests and engineering analyses scheduled to run through the spring and summer. The goal is to resolve the issues that plagued Starliner’s propulsion system and ensure the spacecraft meets safety requirements for future flights.

Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, said the timeline for the next flight “is likely to be in the timeframe of late this calendar year or early next year.”

Cost and Development Hurdles
Boeing’s Starliner project has been fraught with delays and technical issues since its inception. The effort has cost Boeing over $2 billion to date, placing it under increased scrutiny, especially in contrast to competitor SpaceX, whose Dragon capsule has become the preferred vehicle for crew transport to the ISS.

The faulty propulsion system on Starliner has become a critical focal point for NASA’s certification process, as the agency continues to rely on multiple commercial providers for its low-Earth orbit missions.

What’s Next
NASA emphasized that it will not proceed with another Starliner crewed launch until the spacecraft passes all necessary tests. Both agencies remain committed to restoring confidence in the system, aiming to bring Starliner into regular rotation for ISS crew missions.

NASA Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore Address ‘Stranded’ Rumors, Confirm March Return

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NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have dismissed concerns about being “stranded” aboard the International Space Station (ISS) after their mission, initially planned for ten days, was extended due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. The two astronauts, who arrived at the ISS in June 2024, will now return to Earth aboard SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission in March 2025. Despite speculation, both have assured the public that they remain safe, engaged in their duties, and do not feel abandoned in orbit.

The decision to extend their stay was made after Starliner experienced thruster malfunctions during its docking procedures. As reported by Space.com, NASA engineers have been conducting thorough analyses to resolve these technical issues before Starliner can be certified for future missions. Meanwhile, Williams and Wilmore’s return was integrated into the ISS’s routine crew rotation, allowing them to travel back aboard Crew-9’s Dragon capsule. This schedule adjustment aligns their mission with the typical six-month stay of astronauts on the station.

Addressing the “stranded” narrative, Wilmore stated in an interview with CNN that their extended stay was a planned adjustment rather than an emergency. He emphasized that all astronauts aboard the ISS have immediate return options in the event of an emergency, ensuring their safety at all times. Williams echoed his sentiments, highlighting that their additional time in space has allowed them to contribute further to scientific experiments and station operations, making the most of their extended mission.

This situation underscores the complexities of human spaceflight and the importance of flexibility in mission planning. NASA and Boeing continue working on Starliner’s technical improvements to ensure its readiness for future flights, while SpaceX’s Crew Dragon remains a reliable transport option. The experience gained from this extended mission will contribute to refining crewed spaceflight strategies as NASA advances its long-term goals, including lunar and deep-space exploration under the Artemis program.

NASA-SpaceX Capsule Switch Poised to Bring Starliner Astronauts Home Days Sooner

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NASA announced on Tuesday that it has swapped out the astronaut capsule initially planned for a routine flight to the International Space Station (ISS), a move that will expedite the return of two astronauts who have been aboard the station for longer than expected. The U.S. space agency decided to use a previously flown SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, Endeavor, for its Crew-10 mission, replacing a new capsule whose production was delayed.

This change will bring the Crew-10 launch forward to March 12, moving up from the original March 25 date. NASA will still need to conduct a flight readiness assessment of the Endeavor capsule, which has already completed three previous missions.

The change in capsule is linked to the return of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been on the ISS since last summer aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule, which faced technical issues. Their return was contingent on the arrival of the Crew-10 crew to maintain the station’s normal staffing levels.

This shift in the launch schedule comes after a recent intervention by former President Donald Trump, who urged SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to bring Wilmore and Williams back “as soon as possible.” Trump had criticized President Joe Biden’s administration over the astronauts’ extended mission, despite Biden’s lack of involvement. Musk accepted Trump’s request and echoed similar sentiments, though the mission’s delays were largely attributed to Boeing’s engineering challenges.

While NASA’s statement did not specifically mention the intent to accelerate the return of Wilmore and Williams, the capsule swap will indeed bring them back earlier than initially planned. NASA’s Commercial Crew Program head, Steve Stich, acknowledged SpaceX’s flexibility in handling the unexpected changes.

The decision to switch capsules has also affected other planned SpaceX missions, including the Fram2 private astronaut mission and Axiom’s planned Crew Dragon flight for astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary. The shift means that SpaceX will have to adjust its planned capsule allocations, impacting these missions.

SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule was developed with around $3 billion in funding from NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which aims to develop private-sector capabilities for spaceflight, reducing costs and increasing competition. In contrast, Boeing’s Starliner capsule, which has struggled with engineering setbacks, is also part of the same program but has faced more significant challenges.