NASA and Boeing share Starliner update: uncrewed Starliner-1 first, and NASA plans to certify United Launch Alliance's Vulcan for crew flights
28 September 2026
NASA and Boeing shared an update on the Starliner programme on 28 September 2026.
NASA intends to exercise options for a fifth and sixth Starliner flight to and from the International Space Station.
NASA will work with Boeing and United Launch Alliance to certify the Vulcan rocket for use after the Atlas V rocket's final flight; certification has not yet been completed.
An uncrewed Starliner-1 mission will precede crewed flights and has the potential to fly in December this year or January 2027.
NASA's current plan is to return astronauts on Starliner-2 by 2028.
Boeing has made thermal modifications to the spacecraft's service module, which NASA will evaluate on Starliner-1; NASA's Program Investigation Team had identified 61 recommendations.
In plain words
ULA United Launch Alliance — It is the company that builds and flies the Atlas V and Vulcan rockets.
Service module Starliner service module — It is the part of the spacecraft holding propulsion and power systems.