NASA changes Starliner contract: First ISS mission to carry only cargo
On Monday, NASA announced the update to the 2014 contract. It originally said there would be six crewed flights to the ISS after a successful uncrewed flight test. Now the contract says the total will be four missions, but two will be options.
In November 2024, NASA announced that it and Boeing had agreed to modify the Commercial Crew Transportation Capability contract.
Last year, Starliner flew to the space station with astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who were supposed to stay for eight days. But issues with the spacecraft made it unsafe for them to return via Starliner. So they had to be brought home nine months later via a SpaceX capsule.
"NASA and Boeing are continuing to rigorously test the Starliner propulsion system in preparation for two potential flights next year," Steve Stich, NASA's commercial crew program manager, said in a statement.
"The next Starliner flight, known as Starliner-1, will be used by NASA to deliver necessary cargo to the orbital laboratory and allow in-flight validation of the system upgrades implemented following the Crew Flight Test mission last year," a Monday release said.
NASA said that if the first flight is successful, it will consider adding crews to the Starliner flights.
In July, Boeing said it was continuing to try to solve problems with the Starliner. The main issues were helium plug seal leaks, problems with its thermal shunts and overheating thrusters.
The space station is to retire in 2030. NASA said it would prefer to alternate between Starliner and Crew Dragon for crew rotation missions. That means there would be only one mission a year for each vehicle. So, there would be little time for more Starliner missions beyond the four under contract unless Crew Dragon has problems or if the space station life is extended.
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