NASA and Boeing Continue Work on Starliner as Propulsion Issues Persist

Following propulsion anomalies during its first crewed mission, Starliner's next flight is planned as a post-certification crew-capable mission, with testing and upgrades ongoing into late 2025.

Starliner’s first crewed mission in 2024 encountered thruster malfunctions and helium leaks, requiring astronauts to return via SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.
NASA and Boeing have analyzed 70% of mission data but have yet to resolve the root cause of the propulsion anomalies.
Ground tests and upgrades to Starliner’s propulsion system are scheduled through spring and summer 2025 to address the issues.
NASA plans for the spacecraft’s next flight to be a crew-capable post-certification mission, though cargo-only missions remain an option.
Maintaining Starliner as a viable spacecraft is critical to NASA’s strategy of ensuring redundancy in ISS access alongside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.