Nasa announces new missions for Boeing Starliner spacecraft

NASA is pouring additional resources and funds into Boeing’s problematic astronaut capsule, Starliner, in hopes of getting it operational once more. The capsule’s test pilots endured nearly a year of confinement at the International Space Station due to a series of issues in 2024, leading NASA to downgrade the mission to a “Type A mishap,” the gravest classification.

Administrator Jared Isaacman disclosed on Monday that Boeing should be prepared to launch an upgraded Starliner to the space station, carrying cargo but no crew, by December. Astronauts won’t return until 2028 because of the necessity for further safety overhauls that could stretch into months or years. Manager Dana Weigel emphasized that full assurance must be achieved regarding the resolution of all Starliner issues before astronauts are permitted back onboard.

NASA astronaut Woody Hoburg, scheduled to lead the subsequent Starliner mission, noted that Starliner’s original test pilots, now retired, are "American heroes" he feels privileged to follow. The U.S. space agency sought two domestic options for transporting astronauts to and from orbit, investing substantial funds in both Boeing and SpaceX post the retirement of the space shuttles.

SpaceX, under Elon Musk, was the first private entity to ferry astronauts to orbit in 2020 and will dispatch its 14th crew for NASA later this week. However, after facing difficulties in executing two empty Starliner test flights, Boeing’s Starliner had to rely on SpaceX for astronaut returns nine months later. SpaceX plans to phase out its Falcon 9 rockets and Dragon capsules in the coming years, focusing on its larger Starship, which achieved orbit for the first time recently.

This push for Boeing’s redemption comes at a cost of $359 million additional for NASA, covering new valves, seals, and other upgrades. While the space station is slated for decommission by 2031, private U.S. companies are developing private orbital habitats that will necessitate reliable transportation. Though SpaceX’s Starship is excessively large for docking and Musk’s primary ambitions lie in lunar and Martian exploration, the article posits that replacing Starliner could be unnecessary.

"We remain committed to working with Boeing," stated Isaacman, expressing optimism about the current trajectory. This report was originally presented on Fortune.com.