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NASA and Boeing Press Ahead With Starliner After Propulsion Setback — Uncrewed Cargo Flight Targeted for April 2026

Boeing’s Starliner suffered propulsion problems after a June 2024 crew launch that delayed the astronauts’ return by nine months; they eventually returned aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon. NASA and Boeing amended their contract, reducing guaranteed crewed flights from up to six to four, with two additional missions as options. Rigorous propulsion testing is underway as the program prepares for two potential crewed flights next year. The next major milestone is an uncrewed cargo mission to the ISS scheduled no earlier than April 2026.

04:34 PM, 11/26/2025Technology

Boeing has pursued crewed missions to the International Space Station through NASA’s Commercial Crew Program since 2014. On June 5, 2024, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner, but the mission ran into propulsion problems that kept the crew in orbit much longer than planned and delayed their return by nine months.

The two astronauts ultimately returned to Earth aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon. In the months that followed, NASA and Boeing reassessed Starliner’s schedule and capabilities and agreed to modify their contract to reflect the program’s updated trajectory.

Contract changes: The original agreement permitted up to six crewed Starliner flights. Under the revised contract, the firm commitment is now four crewed missions, with two additional flights retained as options.

“Well, I guess it’s good news because they’ve continued with the program. There was a lot of concern over the last year or so whether the Starliner program would even continue,” said Florida Tech’s Dr. Don Platt.

NASA and Boeing are conducting intensive testing of Starliner’s propulsion system as they prepare for two potential crewed flights next year. Those tests are intended to validate fixes and restore confidence in the vehicle’s maneuvering and reentry systems.

Next milestone — uncrewed cargo mission: The next major step for the program is an uncrewed cargo flight to the ISS that will leverage Starliner’s autonomous systems. That mission is currently scheduled for no earlier than April 2026 and will serve as a critical demonstration of reliability before additional crewed missions proceed.

While the setback underscored technical and scheduling challenges, the revised contract and continued testing signal that NASA and Boeing are committed to moving Starliner forward, balancing caution with the goal of restoring a U.S. commercial crew capability independent of other providers.

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