Boeing to launch Starliner again after failure stranded Sunita Williams

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is set to return to space on an uncrewed test flight in 2027, as Nasa and the aerospace company work to fix technical problems that forced astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to remain aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for eight months in 2024.

Nasa and Boeing announced plans to fly Starliner-1 to the space station without astronauts, using the mission to validate improvements to the spacecraft's propulsion system before attempting another crewed flight.

The mission could take place as early as December 2026 or January 2027, depending on the completion of testing and certification requirements.

Nasa plans to use the mission to collect critical flight data and evaluate whether Starliner is safe to carry astronauts again. The agency currently plans to return astronauts to the spacecraft on Starliner-2 by 2028.

"We are starting with an uncrewed Starliner-1 mission to the International Space Station to validate the improvements made to the spacecraft and gather the flight data we need," Nasa Administrator Jared Isaacman said.WHAT WENT WRONG WITH SUNITA WILLIAMS'S STARLINER FLIGHT?

Starliner's problems emerged during its first crewed flight in June 2024, when Williams and Wilmore travelled to the ISS aboard the spacecraft.

The mission was initially expected to last around eight days. However, problems with the spacecraft's reaction control system thrusters raised concerns about its ability to safely return the astronauts to Earth.

Nasa eventually decided to bring Starliner back without its crew in September 2024. Williams and Wilmore returned to Earth in March 2025 aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft after spending approximately nine months in space.

A Nasa investigation identified 61 recommendations to address technical and programme management issues that contributed to the failure.

The investigation found that Starliner's service module thrusters operated outside their engineering qualification limits. Thermal conditions and design-related factors contributed to their performance problems.NEW FIXES BEFORE ASTRONAUTS RETURN

Boeing has introduced thermal modifications to the spacecraft's service module, which Nasa will evaluate during the uncrewed flight.

The company will also implement changes to thruster valves to address seal extrusion, which affected propulsion performance.

Additional improvements include new crew module thrusters, upgraded batteries and modifications to the parachute system.

Nasa also plans to certify United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket for crewed Starliner missions after the Atlas V rocket's final flight.

The agency intends to exercise options for a fifth and sixth Starliner mission to the ISS, maintaining an alternative to SpaceX for transporting astronauts to low Earth orbit.- Ends