NASA and Boeing Will Provide Starliner Program Update
Officials will discuss the future of the spacecraft following a mission that left two astronauts on the ISS.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Space
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NASA and Boeing are set to hold a briefing on September 28, 2026, to discuss the future of the Starliner spacecraft program. The update follows the mission that left astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on the International Space Station for nine months.
Why it matters
The briefing addresses the future of crewed transport capabilities following the significant technical difficulties encountered during the Starliner's initial test mission.
The Starliner's inaugural crewed test flight in June 2024 was marked by thruster malfunctions and helium leaks. The capsule ultimately returned to Earth uncrewed after the two astronauts were retrieved by a SpaceX Dragon in March 2025.
The players
NASA
The United States government agency responsible for the nation's civilian space program and aeronautics research.
Boeing
An American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, and satellites.
Butch Wilmore
A veteran NASA astronaut who served as a crew member on the Starliner's first crewed test flight.
Suni Williams
A NASA astronaut who spent nine months on the International Space Station during the delayed test mission.
The details
NASA and Boeing officials will convene to outline their development plans for future transportation to the International Space Station. The program aims to establish a schedule for regular crewed flights despite the major challenges that occurred during the 2024 test.
Timeline
June 2024: Starliner's first crewed test flight launched.
March 2025: SpaceX Dragon returned astronauts to Earth.
September 28, 2026: NASA and Boeing scheduled briefing.
The Big Picture
This briefing updates the operational status of the International Space Station crew transport program. It marks a critical point in the program as stakeholders reevaluate the viability of the Starliner spacecraft within the broader transport architecture.
The outcome of this briefing will determine the reliance on commercial partners for maintaining human presence on the International Space Station. Residents and the public will see the long-term viability of the nation's space transport capabilities shaped by the decisions announced.
The takeaway
The challenges faced by the Starliner program underscore the complexities inherent in developing reliable spacecraft for human spaceflight. Future efforts will depend on successfully addressing these mechanical failures while maintaining safe transport to the orbiting station.
Further reading
For more information on ongoing missions, visit the Space section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Hill.
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