NASA negotiating with Boeing for Starliner program, at least 10 new missions eyed

NASA is in discussions with Boeing regarding the future use of its Starliner spacecraft. According to a Wall Street Journal report, the parties are discussing plans that could include at least 10 new crewed missions to the International Space Station (ISS) in the coming years.

These negotiations follow technical challenges encountered during Starliner's previous crewed test flight in 2024. Issues with the spacecraft led to astronauts returning to Earth aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule, significantly extending their stay on the ISS. A mission initially planned for ten days became an over nine-month occupation of the space station.

A Boeing spokesperson stated the company will continue to support NASA's commercial crew program and anticipates its next Starliner mission according to the agency's requirements. NASA has not directly commented but aims to ensure continued U.S. presence in low Earth orbit.

Despite Starliner's past difficulties, NASA seeks to maintain Boeing as a key partner for crewed transportation, alongside SpaceX. Both companies were selected in 2014 to ferry astronauts to the ISS, restoring U.S. domestic crew launch capabilities after the Space Shuttle program's retirement.

The report surfaces as NASA recently awarded SpaceX a nearly $1 billion contract for three additional ISS missions, extending its crewed flights through 2030.