Boeing's Starliner Set for High-Stakes ISS Mission Amid Ongoing Delays

After multiple setbacks, Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is scheduled to launch its first crewed mission to the International Space Station this Friday.

Boeing’s Starliner, part of a $4.3 billion NASA contract, prepares for a crucial test flight following a recent scrub due to a malfunctioning valve.
The spacecraft aims to join an elite group of vehicles that have transported NASA astronauts, a list that includes historical crafts from the Mercury to the Space Shuttle era.
Starliner’s journey marks a significant step in NASA’s shift from government-operated to commercially-managed crewed spaceflights, competing with SpaceX’s Dragon capsule.
Technical issues such as software glitches and hardware malfunctions have plagued Starliner’s development, challenging Boeing’s aerospace reputation.
If successful, this mission could secure Starliner’s position as a reliable crew transport to the ISS, enhancing U.S. access to space.