Boeing says Starliner near readiness for cargo flight, crew test still pending

Boeing announced that most of the work needed to fix its Starliner capsule is complete and the company is coordinating with NASA on a cargo mission to the International Space Station. The cargo flight is seen as a key step before a new crewed test, which Boeing’s CEO Kelly Ortberg suggested could occur as early as late 2027, provided remaining technical issues are resolved.

NASA has not set a date for the next Starliner flight. The agency and Boeing agreed the upcoming Starliner 1 mission will be cargo‑only, but uncertainties about launch timing and possible cost impacts remain. The agency noted that the 2024 crewed flight test suffered propulsion failures that left astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams on the ISS for over nine months, and the mission was classified as a Type A mishap. NASA officials emphasized that the vehicle will fly when it is ready and a launch slot on the ISS is available.