NASA and Boeing said Monday they have updated plans for the Starliner spacecraft, adding crew mission options, moving to certify United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket for crew transportation, and targeting an uncrewed Starliner-1 flight to the International Space Station as soon as December 2026 or January 2027.
What NASA announced
In a release dated September 28, 2026, NASA said it intends to exercise options for a fifth and sixth Starliner flight to and from the International Space Station, and will work with Boeing and United Launch Alliance to certify the Vulcan rocket for use after the final flight of the Atlas V.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the agency is starting with an uncrewed Starliner-1 mission to the space station to validate improvements made to the spacecraft and gather flight data. "Our current plan is to return astronauts on Starliner-2 by 2028," Isaacman said.
According to NASA, Starliner-1 has the potential to fly in December of this year or January 2027 and will serve as an engineering evaluation mission to verify improved thermal environments, obtain performance data for system qualification, and identify residual risk ahead of crewed missions.
The thruster problem behind the changes
NASA said it released findings in February from its Program Investigation Team covering the programmatic and technical issues that led to the uncrewed return of Starliner during its first crewed flight in 2024. The investigation produced 61 recommendations to the agency.
The report identified issues with Starliner's service module reaction control thrusters operating outside their engineering qualification, which NASA said resulted in the loss of control experienced during the Crew Flight Test. Ground testing and analysis attributed the thruster performance issues to a combination of factors, including the thermal environment and features inherent in the design, the agency said.
Hardware changes planned
Boeing has made thermal modifications to the spacecraft's service module, which NASA said it will evaluate for improved performance on Starliner-1. The two organizations have also jointly decided to implement an additional thruster valve design modification to support certification and future crewed flights.
After the uncrewed flight, NASA said, the companies will complete the service module thruster valve design modification, which is focused on addressing poppet seal extrusion and its adverse effects on thruster performance. Boeing will also install new crew module thrusters and batteries and make minor modifications to the parachute system, according to the release.
Dana Weigel, manager of NASA's Low Earth Orbit Program, said the next flight is "a critical step on the path to achieving full system certification and ensuring a sustained human presence in low Earth orbit," adding that the propulsion system will be tested through targeted demonstration objectives and disciplined operational controls.
Why NASA says it matters
NASA said its commercial crew efforts aim to preserve a U.S. crew transportation capability to ensure continued access to space, describing the work as essential for responsibly concluding space station operations, transitioning to commercial space stations and expanding commercial access.
Isaacman said NASA has been committed to having multiple crew transportation options since the beginning of the Commercial Crew Program and intends to see Starliner return to flight in support of the space station and future commercial destinations.
Key facts and where they come from
- NASA plans to exercise options for a fifth and sixth Starliner flight to the ISS.
The agency intends to exercise options for a fifth and sixth flight to and from the space station using Starliner
- NASA will work to certify ULA's Vulcan rocket for crew after Atlas V's final flight.
will work with Boeing and United Launch Alliance to certify the Vulcan rocket for use after the Atlas V rocket's final flight
- The uncrewed Starliner-1 could fly in December 2026 or January 2027.
The uncrewed Starliner-1 has the potential to fly in December of this year or January 2027.
- NASA's current plan is to fly astronauts on Starliner-2 by 2028.
Our current plan is to return astronauts on Starliner-2 by 2028.
- NASA's Program Investigation Team made 61 recommendations after the 2024 Crew Flight Test.
the investigation identified 61 recommendations to NASA to ensure that future missions meet the high standards required for human spaceflight
- Service module reaction control thrusters operated outside engineering qualification, causing loss of control.
issues with Starliner's service module reaction control thrusters operating outside of their engineering qualification, which resulted in the loss of control experienced during its Crew Flight Test
- A thruster valve design change targets poppet seal extrusion.
the service module thruster valve design modification, which is focused on addressing poppet seal extrusion and its adverse effects on thruster performance
- Boeing will add new crew module thrusters, batteries and parachute system changes.
installation of new crew module thrusters, batteries, and minor modifications to the parachute system for increased performance and reliability