NASA, Boeing update Starliner contract and set launch window for next mission
Key takeaways:
- NASA and Boeing modified the Starliner contract to support human spaceflight certification and Starliner’s long-term role in low Earth orbit.
- The administration is targeting launch for the Starliner-1 mission in December or January to deliver essential cargo to the ISS while ensuring the highest standards of safety and reliability.
NASA and Boeing announced today changes to the Starliner contract that add resources for human spaceflight certification and support the spacecraft as a long-term provider of crewed missions to low Earth orbit. The agency also stated that the uncrewed Starliner-1 mission, which will carry cargo to the International Space Station (ISS), is planned for the December 2026/January 2027 timeframe. A crewed Starliner-2 mission is planned for 2028.
The Starliner contract modification reflects a strong, safety-first partnership between the company and the agency and underscores NASA and Boeing’s continued commitment to Starliner as a long-term human spaceflight provider to the ISS and future low Earth orbit destinations.
For future Starliner missions, the contract modifications include:
Spacecraft enhancements:
- Replace valves on all 12 crew module reaction control system thrusters and add measures to prevent corrosion.
- Redesign service module reaction control system thruster poppets
- Record service module thruster chamber pressure data more often for better performance insight.
- Implement a parachute joint design improvement
- Integrate NASA-provided upgraded battery systems.
Other contract modifications:
- Certify Vulcan for human spaceflight to support flights after the Atlas fleet is phased out.
- Restore the fifth and sixth Starliner missions, previously made options under a contract modification in November 2025.
Ahead of Starliner-1, Boeing and NASA are confident in the Starliner vehicle and have addressed the technical issues identified during the investigation of the Crew Flight Test in 2024. According to John Mulholland, vice president of the Starliner program, corrective actions plans are implemented for the eight PIT Report recommendations and 19 of the 21 in-flight anomalies from the crew flight test are closed. The remaining items are expected to close in October. Some of the mitigations require in-flight demonstration during Starliner-1 for full resolution.
With hardware and software work complete, Boeing and NASA teams are closing out the remaining validation work in preparation for an uncrewed Starliner-1 launch planned in the December 2026/January 2027 timeframe.
“With safety-first as their guide, Boeing and NASA teammates worked together over the last two years to address the issues encountered during the crew flight test,” said John Mulholland, vice president of the Starliner program for Boeing. “We’re grateful for NASA’s partnership, and we are confident the Starliner vehicle will be ready for flight.”