🚀NASA Exercises Options for Two More Starliner Flights
NASA doubles down on Boeing's troubled Starliner
TL;DR
NASA has committed to two additional Starliner flights, bringing the total to six. The space agency will pay $359 million to fix Starliner's thruster issues, despite past failures. This move secures NASA's access to low-Earth orbit post-Crew Dragon.
NASA announced it will exercise options to purchase two more flights on Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, bringing the total to six. This decision comes after years of delays and technical issues with Starliner, including overheating thrusters and a near-catastrophic incident during a crewed test flight. The space agency will pay $359 million to Boeing to fix these issues, ensuring continued access to low-Earth orbit after SpaceX's Crew Dragon retires. NASA's commitment to Starliner underscores the agency's need for reliable transportation to the International Space Station and future commercial space stations. The price point for Starliner missions is approximately $90 million per seat, a significant investment that reflects the critical role of these flights in maintaining space exploration capabilities.
Key Points
NASA will pay $359 million to Boeing to fix Starliner's overheating thrusters.
NASA has already provided $5.1 billion to Boeing under the Commercial Crew program.
Starliner-1, an uncrewed demo flight, could launch in December 2026 or January 2027.
NASA will certify United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket for human missions.
Boeing will compete for private space station transportation contracts.
Why It Matters
NASA's commitment to Starliner secures access to low-Earth orbit for critical missions. The $359 million fix for thruster issues ensures reliability, but the $90 million per seat cost highlights the high stakes of space travel. This decision impacts NASA's long-term strategy and the viability of private space stations.
Comments
Be the first to comment
Enjoyed this article?
Get it daily. 7am. Free. Reads in 5 minutes.
Join 3,518 builders reading daily.