NASA funds Starliner repairs and adds two crewed flights
The $359 million package supports thruster work and Vulcan certification, while Starliner’s return to crewed service remains dependent on further work.
NASA will pay Boeing $359 million to rebuild Starliner’s reaction control system thrusters and support certification of United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket for crewed missions. The agency also plans to order two additional crewed Starliner flights, taking its planned total to six.
The announcement comes as NASA prepares for the possible retirement of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon by or before 2030. NASA is also considering extending the International Space Station’s life to 2032 and supporting private space stations, creating a need for continued crew transport to low Earth orbit.
Starliner’s schedule remains tentative. NASA plans an uncrewed Starliner-1 demonstration in December 2026 or January 2027, followed by crewed missions already under contract. Starliner-2 could fly in mid-2028, with NASA naming veteran astronaut Woody Hoburg as commander.
The spacecraft has faced delays and technical problems, including thruster issues during its June 2024 crew test flight. Its return to carrying astronauts depends on completing the repairs and certification work.
Boeing says it has spoken with commercial space station providers about becoming a transport supplier. The company has not committed to detailed seat pricing for those customers, citing the pending certification of Starliner and Vulcan. NASA and Boeing have agreed to about US$90 million per seat for Starliner-2 through Starliner-6.
