NASA Considers Expanding Boeing Starliner Role Despite Previous Setbacks
Washington, Monday, 21 September 2026.
NASA is discussing assigning ten or more future missions to Boeing’s Starliner capsule, demonstrating a strategic commitment to maintaining a second American spacecraft option alongside SpaceX.
NASA and Boeing Discuss Expanded Starliner Partnership
NASA is currently in negotiations with Boeing (NYSE: BA) regarding the potential assignment of at least ten additional spaceflight missions for its Starliner capsule over the coming years [1][2]. This prospective agreement highlights the federal space agency’s strategic commitment to maintaining redundant commercial crew transport capabilities alongside SpaceX, ensuring continuity for International Space Station (ISS) operations [1][4]. The discussions, initially reported by The Wall Street Journal, indicate a desire to keep a second independent crewed flight provider active despite previous technical setbacks associated with the program [2][3]. While no fresh contract has been officially announced as of 2026-09-17, the talks signal long-term policy support for Boeing’s defense and space division [4][5]. Investors have reacted to the news, with retail sentiment shifting to ‘extremely bullish’ within 24 hours of the report, although the stock remains down year-to-date [4]. The expanding partnership reassures stakeholders about the commercial viability of the Starliner program, which is critical for U.S. access to low Earth orbit [1][3].
Competitive Landscape and SpaceX Contract Extension
Concurrent with these discussions, NASA awarded SpaceX a $946 million contract modification on 2026-09-18 for three additional crewed missions to the ISS [1][5]. This contract extends SpaceX flights through 2030, covering Crew-15, Crew-16, and Crew-17 missions, and brings the total Commercial Crew contract value to $5.92 billion across 17 flights [5]. SpaceX’s Crew Dragon remains the only operational alternative for U.S. crew transport today, having successfully completed 13 crewed ISS missions [3][4]. NASA is holding three mission slots open from a May 2026 notice of intent, potentially for Boeing’s Starliner pending certification [5]. SpaceX confirmed the award, stating that the Falcon 9 vehicle and Dragon spacecraft will launch the missions from Florida [5]. This dual-track approach allows NASA to secure immediate capacity while developing Boeing’s capability as a backup provider [1][3].
Technical Challenges and Financial Implications
Boeing’s Starliner program has faced significant hurdles, including a June 2024 crewed test flight where technical issues forced the capsule to return to Earth uncrewed [2][4]. Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams remained on the ISS for over nine months instead of the planned 10 days, eventually returning via a SpaceX Crew Dragon in March 2025 [2][4]. NASA later classified the flight as a Type A mishap, its most severe failure category, and certification may slip toward 2027 [2][4]. Financially, the Starliner program has incurred charges exceeding $2 billion on a fixed-price NASA deal now valued at about $3.7 billion [2][4]. Boeing’s Defense, Space & Security segment, which houses the program, reported $27.2 billion in 2025 revenue, representing approximately 30.391 of the company’s $89.5 billion total revenue [2][4]. Civil crew transport remains a small, loss-making slice of this unit, which is primarily focused on military aircraft and satellites [2].
Future Outlook and Certification Timeline
Looking ahead, Boeing must fix the vehicle’s propulsion problems, complete an uncrewed return-to-flight, and certify a new rocket to replace the retiring United Launch Alliance Atlas V [2][4]. NASA intends to continue seeking crew certification for the Boeing Starliner to maintain low Earth orbit access beyond 2030, as the ISS is slated for retirement around that time [3]. Once the uncrewed Starliner-1 mission succeeds, a date currently under review, Starliner will be cleared for subsequent crewed flights [3]. The agency’s support demonstrates a commitment to redundancy, with Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX President and CEO, noting that the government should be able to use the capsule they paid for [3]. Certification delays mean the program is nearing the station’s planned 2030 retirement, adding urgency to the current negotiations [2][4]. The outcome of these talks will define the structure of U.S. human spaceflight for the remainder of the decade [1][5].