Brief
NASA sets December launch for uncrewed Starliner test, eyes 2028 crew flight
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the next Starliner flight will launch no earlier than December, with a crewed mission possible in 2028.
By Felo News Desk · Published
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman told a press conference on Monday that the next flight of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft will occur no earlier than December 2026. If the uncrewed test succeeds, NASA plans to certify the vehicle for a crewed ISS mission in mid‑2028.
Isaacman said the agency has worked closely with Boeing to fix the thruster failures and helium leaks that plagued the June 5 2024 crewed test, which forced astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to return on SpaceX’s Dragon after five thrusters malfunctioned.
The agency also noted that SpaceX is winding down its Crew Dragon program, accelerating the need for a second U.S. crew transport option.
Key facts
- NASA announced a December 2026 uncrewed Starliner test flight. (gizmodo.com)
- The test will be the first step toward a crewed ISS mission in mid‑2028. (gizmodo.com)
- NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman made the announcement at a Monday press conference. (gizmodo.com)
- The 2024 crewed Starliner flight suffered thruster failures and helium leaks, forcing a return on SpaceX’s Dragon. (gizmodo.com)
Sources
- [1] gizmodo.com — originally reported as “Boeing’s Starliner Faces a Critical Test This Year as NASA Runs Out of Options”
