NASA and Boeing have unveiled a roadmap for the future of the Starliner spacecraft, confirming plans for two additional crewed missions to the International Space Station. The agency also intends to transition from the Atlas V rocket to the United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket for future crew transportation.
The path forward includes an uncrewed mission, designated Starliner-1, which is currently targeted for late 2026 or early 2027. This flight is intended to validate thermal improvements and gather performance data following a 2024 investigation that identified 61 recommendations for the program. The investigation into the spacecraft's previous crewed flight highlighted issues with service module thrusters, which were attributed to thermal environment factors and design characteristics.
"Starliner’s next flight is a critical step on the path to achieving full system certification and ensuring a sustained human presence in low Earth orbit," said Dana Weigel, manager of NASA’s Low Earth Orbit Program. To address these technical challenges, Boeing has implemented thermal modifications and is working on a thruster valve design update to resolve issues with poppet seal extrusion. Additional upgrades, including new crew module thrusters, battery replacements, and parachute system adjustments, are also planned to support full system certification.
NASA aims to resume crewed flights with the Starliner-2 mission, which is currently scheduled for 2028. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to maintain U.S. access to space as the agency prepares for the eventual transition from the International Space Station to commercial orbital platforms.
Source: NASA
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