NASA and Boeing are still deliberating on whether the upcoming flight of the Starliner spacecraft will include astronauts, following the vehicle's successful but empty landing in New Mexico. The next launch is projected for late 2025 or into 2026 pending significant testing, especially addressing unresolved propulsion system issues. A prior mishap with maneuvering thrusters during its crew flight resulted in the crew's return aboard a different vehicle, emphasizing reliability concerns. With limited future missions anticipated due to the upcoming retirement of the International Space Station, the long-term viability of Starliner remains in question.
More than half a year after an empty Starliner spacecraft safely landed in a New Mexico desert, NASA and Boeing still have not decided whether the vehicle's next flight will carry any astronauts.
NASA stated that extensive testing of Starliner's propulsion system is still needed before its next flight can be scheduled, which may occur in 2026.
Concerns about Starliner's maneuvering thrusters led to NASA opting to return the crew via a different vehicle, highlighting potential reliability issues.
Reports indicate that only a limited number of missions are expected for Starliner before the retirement of the International Space Station.
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