NASA and Boeing Adjust Starliner Contract, Plan Uncrewed Cargo Mission for 2026

NASA and Boeing have agreed to modify their Commercial Crew Transportation Capability contract, reducing the number of guaranteed crewed Starliner missions from six to four, with the remaining two designated as optional. The next Starliner mission, named Starliner-1, is scheduled for no earlier than April 2026 and will be an uncrewed flight delivering cargo to the International Space Station (ISS). This mission aims to validate system upgrades implemented following the Crew Flight Test mission in 2024.

Steve Stich, manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, stated, "NASA and Boeing are continuing to rigorously test the Starliner propulsion system in preparation for two potential flights next year." He added that the contract modification allows both parties to focus on safely certifying the system in 2026 and aligning future Starliner missions with the ISS's operational needs through 2030.

The Starliner program has faced multiple delays and technical challenges. In 2024, during its first crewed flight, the spacecraft experienced significant propulsion system issues, leading to an extended stay for astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams aboard the ISS. The astronauts eventually returned to Earth via a SpaceX capsule in March 2025.

Boeing has incurred over $2 billion in losses on the Starliner program since 2016. The company remains committed to addressing the technical issues and ensuring the spacecraft's safety for future missions.

NASA's original 2014 contracts with Boeing and SpaceX aimed to develop crewed spacecraft for ISS missions. While SpaceX has successfully completed multiple crewed missions since 2020, Boeing's Starliner has yet to achieve full operational status. The upcoming uncrewed cargo mission is a critical step toward certifying Starliner for future crewed flights.