SPACE

NASA is working to certify Boeing's Starliner spacecraft for future flights based on data from its June 2024 Crew Flight Test.

By Aniket Chakraborty

Apr 2, 2025

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Image Credit | @NASA | X

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The next Starliner flight is expected either later this year or in early 2026, following extensive testing.

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Starliner's first crewed mission with astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore extended from eight days to nine months due to technical issues.

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The troubled mission finally concluded on March 19 when the astronauts returned to Earth.

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Image Credit | @Astro_Suni | X

Image Credit | @BoeingSpace | X

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NASA and Boeing are analyzing postflight data to address thruster issues and helium leaks that plagued the mission.

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Image Credit | @BoeingSpace | X

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Multiple test campaigns are planned in the coming months to mitigate the spacecraft's problems.

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Boeing received a NASA contract in 2014 alongside SpaceX to develop crew transportation to the ISS.

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While SpaceX achieved operational status in 2020, Boeing is still working to complete Starliner certification.

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Image Credit | @BoeingSpace | X

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Boeing has launched three Starliner missions so far—two uncrewed and one crewed—all experiencing significant issues.

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Image Credit | @BoeingSpace | X

The Starliner program has cost Boeing more than $2 billion in development expenses.

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