NASA has announced that Boeing's next Starliner flight, currently set for April 2026, will carry only cargo to the International Space Station. The decision comes after a series of setbacks and high-profile malfunctions left two astronauts stranded on the space station last year.
The announcement was made as part of an agreement between NASA and Boeing to modify the Commercial Crew contract, which originally called for six crewed flights to the space station following certification of the spacecraft. Under the new plan, Starliner-1 will carry cargo before the first crew rotation is planned in 2026, with up to three additional missions after that.
Boeing has faced significant development struggles since its first flight in December 2019, which was forced to be truncated due to software problems and nearly ended shortly after launch. The company's second mission, Orbital Flight Test 2, also flew uncrewed in May 2022 but experienced thruster issues during its approach to the space station.
The latest Starliner spacecraft is set to undergo rigorous testing before it can carry crew members to the International Space Station. While NASA has remained tight-lipped about the specifics of these tests, they are seen as a crucial step towards ensuring the safety and reliability of Boeing's Commercial Crew system.
The decision to delay the first crewed flight of Starliner is likely intended to give Boeing time to iron out its issues with the spacecraft's propulsion system. The company has been working on modifications to address the problems that plagued its previous missions, including thruster issues during approach to the space station.
With SpaceX already having flown several successful crewed missions using its Crew Dragon vehicle, there is growing pressure on Boeing to deliver a reliable and safe Commercial Crew solution for NASA's needs. By prioritizing cargo-carrying flights first, NASA may be attempting to minimize risk while still meeting its obligations under the Commercial Crew contract.
The announcement was made as part of an agreement between NASA and Boeing to modify the Commercial Crew contract, which originally called for six crewed flights to the space station following certification of the spacecraft. Under the new plan, Starliner-1 will carry cargo before the first crew rotation is planned in 2026, with up to three additional missions after that.
Boeing has faced significant development struggles since its first flight in December 2019, which was forced to be truncated due to software problems and nearly ended shortly after launch. The company's second mission, Orbital Flight Test 2, also flew uncrewed in May 2022 but experienced thruster issues during its approach to the space station.
The latest Starliner spacecraft is set to undergo rigorous testing before it can carry crew members to the International Space Station. While NASA has remained tight-lipped about the specifics of these tests, they are seen as a crucial step towards ensuring the safety and reliability of Boeing's Commercial Crew system.
The decision to delay the first crewed flight of Starliner is likely intended to give Boeing time to iron out its issues with the spacecraft's propulsion system. The company has been working on modifications to address the problems that plagued its previous missions, including thruster issues during approach to the space station.
With SpaceX already having flown several successful crewed missions using its Crew Dragon vehicle, there is growing pressure on Boeing to deliver a reliable and safe Commercial Crew solution for NASA's needs. By prioritizing cargo-carrying flights first, NASA may be attempting to minimize risk while still meeting its obligations under the Commercial Crew contract.
So I'm watching this NASA update on Starliner-1... 
Boeing is pushing back crewed flight again after their software problems and thruster issues last year 
They're gonna do some cargo flights first to 'iron out' the kinks 
Problem is, SpaceX already nailed it with Crew Dragon 
Now we gotta wait another 2 years for Starliner-1's crewed launch? 
What happened to the "commercial" part of Commercial Crew contract? 
. I MEAN, TWO ASTRONAUTS LEFT STRANDED LAST YEAR? THAT'S JUST CRAZY TALK! AND NOW THEY'RE DELAYING THE FIRST CREWED FLIGHT AGAIN? IT'S LIKE THEY'RE TRYING TO MAKE NASA WAIT FOREVER FOR A RELIABLE SPACESHIP 
. I GUESS YOU COULD SAY NASA IS PLAYING IT SAFE BY MAKING BOEING CARRY CARGO FIRST, BUT IT'S JUST GOING TO KEEP PEOPLE WORRIED THAT THEY'LL NEVER GET THEIR CREWED FLIGHTS RIGHT