Sunday 4 October 2026
Afternoon EditionRSS
ZOTPAPER

News without the noise

ZOTPAPER
Space

NASA to Order More Starliner Missions and Support New Rocket Certification as SpaceX Retires Crew Dragon

The space agency shifts toward Boeing’s spacecraft for continued crew access to low-Earth orbit

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
NASA is preparing to order two additional crewed missions from Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft and invest in fixing its thruster issues, as well as supporting certification on a new launch vehicle, multiple sources told Ars Technica. The moves come after SpaceX informed NASA it intends to retire the Crew Dragon vehicle by 2030, leaving the U.S. without an operational crew spacecraft for routine astronaut missions to low-Earth orbit.

The pending announcement, which sources say could come as early as next week, represents a dramatic reversal for Boeing’s Starliner, which has been sidelined following a checkered track record in spaceflight, including thruster problems. NASA plans to pay some of the costs to resolve those issues and will help certify Starliner to fly on a new rocket after its current launcher, the Atlas V, retires.

Crew Dragon is currently the only spacecraft NASA has available for regular astronaut rotation to the International Space Station. With SpaceX planning to phase out the vehicle by 2030, NASA sees Starliner as essential to maintaining assured access to space. The agency’s decision signals a vote of confidence in Boeing’s ability to deliver a reliable spacecraft, despite past setbacks.

The exact financial contours of the additional missions and the certification work have not been disclosed, and it remains unclear which rocket will replace the Atlas V. The announcement is expected to detail the steps NASA will take to ensure Starliner is safe and sustainable for long-term operations.

§

Analysis

Why This Matters

  • Without a second crew vehicle, the U.S. would rely entirely on SpaceX until a replacement is ready. Boeing’s Starliner provides redundancy but comes with engineering and schedule risks.
  • The decision affects the International Space Station’s crew rotation schedule and the broader commercial crew program.
  • If Starliner cannot be certified on a new rocket in time, NASA could face a gap in crew access.

Background

Boeing’s Starliner has encountered a series of technical problems during development and flight tests, most notably thruster failures during its uncrewed orbital flight test and its first crewed mission. The spacecraft was grounded for months while engineers investigated the issues. Meanwhile, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon has successfully completed multiple crew rotations and is considered the workhorse of NASA’s commercial crew program. With Crew Dragon retirement on the horizon, NASA is looking to secure a second provider, turning back to Boeing.

Key Perspectives

NASA: Needs a reliable, redundant capability to ferry astronauts to the ISS and other low-Earth orbit destinations. The agency is leveraging the Starliner investment to avoid a single-point failure in crew transportation. Boeing: Sees a second chance to prove Starliner’s worth after a troubled history. Additional missions and certification support provide revenue and a path to operational stability. Critics/Skeptics: Point to Starliner’s thruster anomalies and schedule delays as reasons to doubt its readiness. Questions remain about the new rocket certification timeline and whether Boeing can deliver a safe vehicle before Crew Dragon retires.

What to Watch

  • NASA’s formal announcement and the specific rocket selected to replace Atlas V for Starliner launches.
  • Progress on thruster redesign and testing milestones over the next 12–18 months.
  • Any changes to SpaceX’s retirement timeline for Crew Dragon, which could accelerate or ease pressure on Starliner’s certification.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

How we workReport an errorSubscribe