Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft faces a potential one-year delay before its next uncrewed mission, as NASA continues to address critical propulsion and cultural issues identified during the 2024 Crew Flight Test (CFT). According to the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP), the agency is still working to close out technical anomalies and formalize certification requirements, leaving the timeline for the Starliner-1 mission under ongoing review.
Why is the Starliner-1 mission still delayed?
NASA and Boeing are currently navigating the aftermath of the CFT mission, which was officially designated a Type A mishap. During a public meeting on Monday, ASAP member Kent Rominger stated that the agency is still defining the requirements for an uncrewed flight to confirm readiness for future crewed missions. The primary technical hurdles involve closing out 72 flight observations and 22 of the 28 implied anomalies from the initial test flight. Specifically, teams are monitoring overheating issues within the “doghouse” structures that house the Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters on the service module.
During the initial Crew Flight Test, five thrusters on the Starliner service module failed during the rendezvous, forcing astronaut Butch Wilmore to manually pilot the spacecraft to the International Space Station.
How has the NASA-Boeing management culture changed?
The Program Investigation Team (PIT) report cited “cultural and leadership challenges” as a primary factor in the mission’s difficulties, noting that NASA’s hands-off contract approach and Boeing’s reliance on subcontractors created gaps in technical oversight. To address these findings, Rominger reported that management and operational structures have been overhauled. NASA and Boeing mission managers now communicate directly, and a “Compulsion System Delta Qualification Review Team” has been established to ensure hardware meets flight standards before any future launch. Boeing’s chief of aerospace safety, Don Newman, has reportedly engaged directly with the Astronaut Office to emphasize the company’s commitment to safety.
What are the risks to the International Space Station?
The uncertainty surrounding Starliner’s flight schedule coincides with broader operational risks for the International Space Station (ISS). Lt. Gen. Susan Helms (Ret.), chair of the ASAP, highlighted that leaks in the Russian segment of the station remain a significant safety concern. While the ISS is slated for operation through 2030, the margin for managing day-to-day risks has decreased to what Helms described as an “alarming level.” These pressures have forced NASA to rely more heavily on SpaceX; in May 2026, the agency added six post-certification missions (PCMs) to SpaceX’s contract to offset the delays in Boeing’s Starliner certification.
| Provider | Role in ISS Access |
|---|---|
| Boeing | Reduced from six to four planned missions; currently working toward certification. |
| SpaceX | Awarded additional missions to ensure uninterrupted station access. |
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the next Starliner mission launch?
NASA has not provided a firm date. The launch target for the uncrewed Starliner-1 mission is currently under review as the agency works to resolve remaining propulsion system issues.
Why were astronauts moved to the SpaceX Crew-9 mission?
Due to helium leaks and thruster failures on the Starliner service module, NASA determined it was safer to return Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to Earth via the SpaceX Crew-9 vehicle rather than the Starliner capsule.
Is the International Space Station at risk of being understaffed?
NASA is taking steps to ensure continuous access. The agency has increased the frequency of SpaceX rotations and moved the Crew-13 mission up from November to September to maintain crew levels.
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