NASA (discover more) to Pay Boeing $359 Million to Resume Starliner Flights, Aims for Crew Returns by 2028
NASA will pay Boeing $359 million to get its Starliner spacecraft flying again and buy two more flights to the International Space Station (ISS). Astronauts could return to the spacecraft as early as 2028, according to NASA.
September 29, 2026 - 4:36 pm
Credit: NASA
NASA's decision follows a news conference on Monday where NASA and Boeing announced their plans. The agency has already spent $5.1 billion under its commercial crew contract with Boeing.
"I do not think it’s a secret that SpaceX intends to sunset older platforms like Falcon and Dragon as they concentrate on their next-generation capability, Starship," said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.
SpaceX's Dragon has been transporting NASA astronauts to the ISS since 2020.
The Agreement
The $359 million will cover:
- Rebuilding Starliner's thrusters that overheated during flight.
- Certifying United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket for crewed flights, replacing the Atlas V.
Two additional Starliner flights (fifth and sixth) bring NASA's total to six missions. The next uncrewed test flight, Starliner-1, could launch in December or January 2027.
"Our current plan is to return astronauts on Starliner-2 by 2028," Isaacman said.
NASA astronaut Woody Hoburg will command the second crewed flight (Starliner-2). Following Starliner-1, Boeing will address a seal problem in the service module's thruster valves and install new crew module thrusters and batteries.
A Glimpse into the Past
Starliner’s first crewed flight in June 2024 experienced issues with its thrusters, leading to loss of control and an empty return. The incident was classified as a Type A mishap by NASA's investigation report, which made 61 recommendations.
Private Space Stations
NASA is also backing private space stations, aiming for two astronaut seats to low Earth orbit every six to nine months. Boeing has discussed crew flights with all potential commercial LEO destination (CLD) providers.
"We couldn’t provide detailed pricing to the CLD suppliers as the Vulcan rocket has not been certified, and the spacecraft has not been certified, and we don’t have detailed pricing on the Vulcan," said John Mulholland, leading Boeing's commercial crew program.
SpaceX's Starship made its first orbit attempt on Monday, but an engine failure could potentially slow NASA's Moon return plans. Greece recently selected an astronaut for a 2027 private mission to the ISS.