Boeing's Starliner Contract Modification with NASA: Mission Updates and Certification Progress
Boeing was awarded a contract by NASA in 2014 to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station using its Starliner spacecraft. The contract initially included up to six crewed flights. However, NASA and Boeing have now agreed to modify the contract, reducing the definitive order to four missions, with the option for two additional flights. The upcoming Starliner-1 mission will deliver cargo to the space station and validate system upgrades made after the Crew Flight Test mission in the previous year.
The uncrewed Starliner-1 mission is currently scheduled for no earlier than April 2026, pending the completion of extensive testing, certification, and mission readiness activities. Following the successful completion of the Starliner-1 mission, Boeing's Starliner will conduct up to three crew rotations to the International Space Station. NASA and Boeing are working diligently to test the Starliner propulsion system for potential flights in the coming year.
Steve Stich, the manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, emphasized the importance of certifying Boeing's Starliner for sustained human presence in low Earth orbit. The modification to the contract allows NASA and Boeing to focus on certifying the system by 2026, conducting the first crew rotation when ready, and planning future Starliner missions based on the space station's operational needs through 2030. Certification of the Starliner is crucial for meeting NASA's goals and international obligations for human spaceflight.