NASA plans Starliner crewed flights and Vulcan certification

NASA plans to return astronauts to the International Space Station aboard Boeing’s Starliner by 2028, following an uncrewed test that could launch in December 2026 or January 2027, the agency announced on September 28.

The uncrewed Starliner-1 mission would evaluate thermal changes to its service module and collect qualification data. NASA and Boeing plan to finish a further thruster-valve modification after that flight, before crewed certification.

NASA also intends to exercise options for fifth and sixth station flights. It will work with Boeing and United Launch Alliance to certify Vulcan for crew transport after Atlas V’s final flight.

The plan follows Starliner’s troubled June 2024 crewed test. NASA’s February 19 investigation release recorded propulsion anomalies, an extended mission and the spacecraft’s return without Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. The astronauts returned aboard Crew-9 in March 2025.

NASA classified that test as a Type A mishap, citing loss of manoeuvrability during the approach to the station and associated financial damage. The agency’s investigation identified technical, organisational and cultural contributors.

Boeing has already made thermal changes, NASA said, but their flight performance remains to be evaluated. Later work includes new crew-module thrusters, batteries and parachute adjustments; the announcement does not establish completed crewed certification or exercised flight options.