NASA and Boeing have developed a phased plan to return the Starliner spacecraft to service, following technical hurdles encountered during its crewed test flight in 2024. The upcoming uncrewed Starliner mission, Starliner-1, is scheduled to launch in December or January 2027. This mission aims to validate the improvements made to the spacecraft and gather necessary flight data. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized that this uncrewed flight is a crucial step towards achieving full system certification.
The Starliner spacecraft faced significant issues during its inaugural crewed test flight in 2024, resulting in an inquiry that led to 61 distinct recommendations to bring future flights into alignment with NASA's human spaceflight criteria. Investigators found that the spacecraft's service-module reaction-control thrusters functioned outside designated engineering qualifications, triggering control anomalies. To address these vulnerabilities, Boeing has integrated thermal adjustments into the service module, which NASA will scrutinize during the Starliner-1 run.
Boeing has implemented several hardware upgrades, including new crew-module thrusters, updated batteries, and targeted revisions to the parachute architecture. Additionally, partner teams have redesigned a thruster valve to mitigate poppet-seal extrusion issues. These changes aim to ensure the spacecraft's safe operation and compliance with NASA's human spaceflight criteria. The Starliner-1 mission will review the updated thermal dynamics, gather performance metrics, and clear residual risks prior to reintroducing crew members.
Following the successful completion of the Starliner-1 mission, NASA plans to use the gained knowledge to continue implementing corrective actions and complete the testing and certification required for crewed flight. The agency's current plan is to return astronauts on Starliner-2 by 2028. NASA also intends to exercise options for a fifth and sixth Starliner flight servicing the International Space Station. This comprehensive timeline offers Starliner another path towards integration within NASA's Commercial Crew Programme.
The Starliner spacecraft is being developed in collaboration with Boeing and United Launch Alliance. As part of the plan, NASA will also certify the Vulcan rocket for human-rated spaceflight following the final retirement flight of the Atlas V rocket. This certification is crucial for maintaining multiple American spacecraft capable of ferrying astronauts to low-Earth orbit. The agency's goal is to ensure a sustained human presence in low Earth orbit.
Dana Weigel, manager of NASA's Low Earth Orbit Programme, highlighted the importance of the upcoming Starliner-1 launch, stating that it is a critical step on the path to achieving full system certification. The mission will provide valuable insights into the spacecraft's performance and help identify any remaining issues. NASA's continued commitment to the Starliner platform underscores its importance in the agency's Commercial Crew Programme.
The successful return of the Starliner spacecraft to service will provide NASA with an additional reliable option for transporting astronauts to the International Space Station. The agency's Commercial Crew Programme aims to maintain multiple American spacecraft capable of ferrying astronauts to low-Earth orbit. With the phased plan in place, NASA and Boeing are working towards achieving full system certification and ensuring a sustained human presence in low Earth orbit.
Key points
- NASA and Boeing have outlined a phased plan to return the Starliner spacecraft to service, with the upcoming uncrewed Starliner-1 mission scheduled to launch in December or January 2027.
