NASA reportedly adds Starliner funding and two crew-flight options
PolicyUnverifiedUpdated:
NASA has reportedly expanded support for Boeing’s Starliner with funding for spacecraft and launch-vehicle work plus two further crew-flight options, as it plans for astronaut access to low-Earth orbit after Crew Dragon’s expected retirement.
Support for thruster rebuilding and Vulcan certification
According to the report, NASA will pay Boeing $359 million to rebuild Starliner reaction-control thrusters that overheated in flight and to support certification of United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket for human missions. NASA also reportedly exercised options for two additional crewed Starliner missions, bringing its planned total Starliner flights to six.
The report describes three Starliner crewed missions as already under contract, while noting that the vehicle had not yet returned to crewed flight.
NASA reportedly plans to provide $359 million for Starliner thruster work and Vulcan human-flight certification, while exercising two additional Starliner crew-flight options.
A planned six flights including two additional options
The reported decision would keep NASA invested in Starliner despite its prior flight problems and would shape the agency’s planned astronaut transportation after Crew Dragon leaves service.
Sources
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