NASA has officially announced that Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft will be dedicated to carrying cargo to the International Space Station on its next mission. The uncrewed Starliner-1 mission is now targeted for no earlier than April 2026, pending successful test and certification processes. Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, highlighted the ongoing rigorous testing of the Starliner propulsion system in preparation for upcoming missions.
As part of the agreement, NASA and Boeing have adjusted their contract to prioritize system certification in 2026 and plan for multiple cargo missions before the retirement of the space station. This shift reduces the number of crewed flights for Boeing’s Starliner, emphasizing cargo transport instead.
Boeing’s Starliner joins the ranks of space vehicles like SpaceX’s Crew Dragon in providing essential logistics support to the space station. While Crew Dragon has already completed crewed missions, Starliner is gearing up for its cargo-focused role in the coming years.
Source: Ars Technica