NASA, Boeing Discuss Expanding Starliner Missions

NASA is holding discussions with Boeing about expanding the use of its Starliner spacecraft for future missions, potentially giving the troubled vehicle a larger role in U.S. human spaceflight plans.

The space agency and Boeing have discussed assigning Starliner 10 or more additional flights in the coming years, according to people familiar with the talks cited by The Wall Street Journal. The missions could help NASA maintain reliable U.S. access to low-Earth orbit as it prepares for the International Space Station’s eventual retirement and the emergence of commercial space stations.

Starliner’s potential expansion would mark a significant turnaround following its problematic crewed test flight in 2024. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams traveled to the ISS aboard the Boeing spacecraft, but propulsion issues, including thruster failures, raised safety concerns. NASA ultimately returned Starliner to Earth without its crew, while the astronauts came home aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon in March 2025.

NASA’s investigation later identified hardware failures, qualification gaps, leadership issues and organizational problems that contributed to risks during the mission. Boeing and NASA have continued working to resolve Starliner’s technical problems before the spacecraft can receive full certification for regular astronaut transportation.

The discussions come as NASA seeks to maintain multiple U.S. transportation options for low-Earth orbit. SpaceX’s Crew Dragon remains the only certified American spacecraft currently carrying NASA astronauts to the ISS. NASA recently awarded SpaceX three additional crew missions through 2030 under a $946 million contract expansion.

Boeing’s next Starliner mission is expected to fly without astronauts, carrying cargo while testing upgrades introduced after the 2024 flight. NASA said earlier this year that the launch schedule remained under review as teams continued addressing technical and operational requirements.

If Starliner successfully completes testing and certification, an expanded mission schedule could provide NASA with a second U.S. crew transportation system and greater flexibility for future low-Earth orbit operations.