CRBC News
Politics
Conflict
Security
Economy
Science
Technology
Environment
Health
Culture
Society
Lifestyle
Technology

Starliner Reboot: Boeing to Send Capsule to ISS Without Crew for Cargo-Only Safety Test

03:28 AM, 12/01/2025
Starliner Reboot: Boeing to Send Capsule to ISS Without Crew for Cargo-Only Safety Test

Boeing will fly its Starliner capsule to the ISS on a cargo-only test to validate propulsion and safety systems after previous thruster anomalies forced an uncrewed return. The mission won’t launch before April as engineers complete additional testing and certification. NASA has reduced planned Starliner flights from six to four; a successful cargo run would leave up to three crewed missions before the ISS retires in 2030.

Boeing will send its Starliner capsule to the International Space Station (ISS) without astronauts on board, conducting a cargo-only flight to validate the spacecraft’s safety systems after last year’s in-flight anomalies.

Engineers have been investigating thruster malfunctions and related propulsion issues that affected the vehicle during its previous mission. Because of those problems, NASA directed the spacecraft to return uncrewed, and the two NASA test pilots who had docked the capsule remained aboard the station until they returned to Earth on a different vehicle.

Planned test and schedule

NASA and Boeing say the cargo-only mission will not launch before April, pending additional tests and certification of Starliner’s propulsion and safety systems. If the uncrewed run proves successful, it would clear the way for up to three crewed Starliner missions before the planned retirement of the ISS in 2030.

“NASA and Boeing are continuing to rigorously test the Starliner propulsion system in preparation for two potential flights next year,” said Steve Stich, NASA’s commercial crew program manager.

Program adjustments and context

NASA has trimmed Starliner’s initially planned manifest from six missions to four. Boeing emphasizes that safety remains the top priority as teams work through hardware and software fixes identified during anomaly reviews.

The Starliner program has faced repeated setbacks while the competing Commercial Crew provider, SpaceX, has completed multiple crew rotations. Boeing received a larger initial contract for Starliner’s development, and the program’s delays and added testing have had financial and schedule impacts for the company.

Boeing and NASA continue detailed inspections and tests of the capsule’s propulsion system and avionics. Officials say additional certification steps are required before a crewed return to flight is attempted.

What to watch next: updated test results from Boeing and NASA, any revised launch dates, and the outcome of the uncrewed cargo demonstration that will determine whether crewed missions can resume.

Similar Articles

Trending