Boeing’s Starliner program has hit another major roadblock, with NASA announcing on July 18, 2025, that all crewed flights are now postponed until at least early 2026. This decision comes after months of technical trouble, especially with the spacecraft’s propulsion system. The next Starliner mission will be uncrewed, marking a big change in NASA’s approach to the program and raising new questions about the future of commercial crewed flights to the International Space Station (ISS).
NASA and Boeing made the announcement together, confirming that the next Starliner launch to the ISS will not carry astronauts. This move follows ongoing reliability concerns with the “doghouse” thrusters, which have not met NASA’s safety standards despite months of testing at the White Sands Test Facility. Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, explained, “The mission slipping into early 2026 is the realistic timeline we’re now facing. We want Starliner flying safely and consistently. Taking additional time now helps ensure that.”

Boeing has stated that it remains committed to working closely with NASA. The company says it will use lessons learned from past tests to guide ongoing troubleshooting and future upgrades. However, the repeated delays and technical failures have put the program under intense scrutiny, both financially and in terms of reputation.
Background: Starliner’s Rocky Road
The Boeing Starliner program was designed to give NASA a second option for sending astronauts to the ISS, alongside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. The goal was to have two reliable commercial crew vehicles, so NASA would not depend on just one company for access to space. But Starliner’s journey has been far from smooth.
The first crewed Starliner flight took place in June 2024, carrying NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore. Unfortunately, the mission ran into several technical problems, including helium leaks and thruster malfunctions. These issues forced an early, uncrewed return of the spacecraft in September 2024. The astronauts joined the ISS Expedition 72 crew and later returned to Earth aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon in March 2025, since Starliner was not considered safe for their return.
Since then, NASA and Boeing have focused on fixing the propulsion system and running extensive ground tests. These efforts have centered on the “doghouse” thrusters, which are key for maneuvering the spacecraft in space. Despite months of work, the thrusters have not met NASA’s strict safety and performance standards.
Current Status: Starliner Grounded, NASA Relies on SpaceX
As of July 2025, Starliner is grounded until at least early 2026. The next flight will be uncrewed, and a crewed mission will only happen after all technical issues are resolved and the spacecraft is fully certified. This means NASA’s Commercial Crew Program now depends solely on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon for sending astronauts to the ISS. This single-vendor situation puts NASA in a vulnerable position if any problems arise with SpaceX’s vehicle.
The delay also affects NASA’s planning for ISS crew rotations. With only one operational crew vehicle, scheduling becomes more complicated, and there is less flexibility if unexpected issues come up. For astronauts, the uncertainty means future crew assignments for Starliner missions are on hold. NASA has not named any astronauts for the next Starliner crewed flight.
Technical Problems: Thrusters and Helium Leaks
The main obstacles for Starliner are persistent thruster reliability problems and helium leaks. The “doghouse” thrusters have failed to meet NASA’s safety and performance standards during repeated ground tests. These thrusters are vital for controlling the spacecraft’s movements in space, so any failure could put astronauts at risk.
NASA and Boeing are running a comprehensive testing campaign at White Sands, simulating different operational scenarios to check thruster performance. They are also looking at possible upgrades to both the propulsion and thermal protection systems. NASA expects to have a clearer picture of Starliner’s readiness by late 2025, after which a decision on crewed flights will be made.
Financial and Program Impact: Boeing Under Pressure
Boeing’s Starliner program is now significantly over budget and behind schedule. The repeated delays and technical failures have raised questions about the program’s long-term future and NASA’s overall commercial crew strategy. Boeing faces mounting financial pressure and reputational risk, with its role in NASA’s commercial crew program under close review.
Despite these challenges, Boeing says it is committed to resolving the issues and working with NASA to get Starliner back on track. The company’s official position is that lessons learned from past tests will help guide future upgrades and troubleshooting.
Expert and Stakeholder Perspectives
NASA leadership has made it clear that astronaut safety comes first, even if it means more delays. The agency has chosen a conservative, risk-averse approach, prioritizing thorough testing and certification over sticking to a schedule. This stance is supported by astronauts as well. Sunita Williams, who flew on the first crewed Starliner mission, publicly backed the decision for an uncrewed test, calling it the “logical thing to do” given the technical uncertainties.
SpaceX, meanwhile, continues to provide reliable crewed flights to the ISS. However, NASA’s dependence on SpaceX has become even more pronounced, especially amid unrelated political tensions and threats to decommission the Dragon vehicle. This situation highlights the importance of having more than one commercial crew provider.
Testing and Certification: What’s Next for Starliner
Looking ahead, NASA and Boeing will continue ground testing through the summer and fall of 2025. These tests are designed to simulate real operational scenarios and check if the thrusters and other systems can perform safely and reliably. NASA plans to reassess Starliner’s status in late 2025, with the earliest possible uncrewed flight now set for early 2026.
The program’s future depends on whether Boeing can fix the thruster issues and regain NASA’s confidence in Starliner’s safety for human spaceflight. If successful, Starliner could resume its intended role as a second commercial crew vehicle. If not, NASA may need to rethink its commercial crew strategy.
Practical Implications for NASA, Boeing, and Astronauts
- For NASA: The delay disrupts ISS crew rotation planning and increases reliance on SpaceX for all U.S. crewed launches. This single-provider situation is risky if SpaceX faces its own technical or political problems.
- For Boeing: The company faces growing financial losses and damage to its reputation. Its future role in NASA’s commercial crew program is now uncertain.
- For Astronauts: Crew assignments for future Starliner missions remain up in the air. NASA has not confirmed which astronauts, if any, will fly on the next Starliner crewed mission.
Why This Matters: The Bigger Picture
The delay of Boeing Starliner’s crewed flights shows just how complex and risky human spaceflight can be. Developing a safe, reliable spacecraft for carrying people to and from the ISS is a huge challenge, even for experienced companies like Boeing. The problems with Starliner’s thrusters and helium leaks are not just technical details—they are life-or-death issues for the astronauts who will fly on these missions.
NASA’s decision to delay crewed flights and focus on safety reflects lessons learned from past failures, both in the Starliner program and in the history of human spaceflight. The agency’s conservative approach may frustrate some who want faster progress, but it is rooted in a deep commitment to protecting human life.
What Needs to Happen Next
For Starliner to fly astronauts again, Boeing must:
- Fix the thruster reliability problems so that the spacecraft can maneuver safely in space
- Solve the helium leak issues to prevent dangerous loss of pressure or control
- Pass all NASA safety and performance tests during ground testing at White Sands
- Earn full certification from NASA before any crewed flight is allowed
First crewed Starliner flight
Uncrewed return of Starliner
Astronauts returned to Earth
NASA announces postponement
NASA plans to reassess Starliner’s status
NASA will continue to monitor progress and reassess the situation in late 2025. Only after all technical issues are resolved and the spacecraft is fully certified will a crewed Starliner flight be scheduled.
Long-Term Prospects: Will Starliner Recover?
The future of the Boeing Starliner program hangs in the balance. If Boeing can fix the technical problems and restore NASA’s confidence, Starliner could become a reliable second option for crewed flights to the ISS. This would give NASA the redundancy it needs and reduce the risks of relying on a single provider.
If the problems persist, however, NASA may need to rethink its commercial crew strategy. This could mean looking for new partners or extending contracts with SpaceX, despite the risks of single-vendor dependency.
What This Means for the Space Community
The delay in Starliner’s crewed flights affects more than just NASA and Boeing. It has ripple effects throughout the space community:
- International partners who rely on the ISS must adjust their own crew rotation plans
- Commercial space companies watch closely, as the outcome could influence future contracts and investments
- Aspiring astronauts face uncertainty about when and how they might fly to space
For now, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon remains the only operational U.S. crew vehicle for the ISS. This puts extra pressure on SpaceX to maintain flawless performance and on NASA to manage the risks of relying on a single provider.
Solution-Oriented Steps: How NASA and Boeing Are Responding
Both NASA and Boeing are taking concrete steps to address the problems:
- Extensive ground testing at White Sands to simulate real mission conditions and identify any remaining issues
- Collaboration between NASA and Boeing engineers to troubleshoot and upgrade the propulsion and thermal protection systems
- Regular updates and transparency with the public and stakeholders about progress and challenges
NASA has also made it clear that it will not rush the process. The agency’s top priority is the safety of its astronauts, even if that means more delays and higher costs.
Key Contacts and Resources
For those seeking more information or official updates, the following resources are available:
- NASA Commercial Crew Program: www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew
- Boeing Starliner Program: www.boeing.com/space/starliner
- NASA Public Affairs Office: +1 202-358-0000
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the Starliner delay highlights the ongoing challenges of building and certifying new crewed spacecraft. The situation serves as a reminder that human spaceflight is never routine and that safety must always come first.
Summary Table: Starliner Status as of July 19, 2025
Aspect | Status/Details |
---|---|
Next Starliner Flight | Early 2026 (uncrewed) |
Crewed Flights | Delayed until further notice (no earlier than 2026) |
Main Technical Issues | Thruster reliability, helium leaks |
Current NASA Crew Vehicle | SpaceX Crew Dragon (sole operational provider) |
Key NASA Official | Steve Stich, Commercial Crew Program Manager |
Boeing’s Position | Committed to resolving issues, collaborating with NASA |
Certification Timeline | Reassessment in late 2025 after summer/fall testing |
Crew Assignments | Uncertain; no astronauts assigned to next Starliner mission |
Takeaways and Next Steps
- Starliner’s crewed flights are delayed until at least early 2026 due to unresolved technical issues, mainly with the propulsion system’s thrusters.
- NASA will rely solely on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon for all U.S. crewed flights to the ISS until Starliner is certified safe.
- Boeing faces financial and reputational challenges as it works to fix the problems and regain NASA’s trust.
- Astronaut assignments for future Starliner missions remain uncertain until the spacecraft is cleared for crewed flight.
- Extensive ground testing will continue through late 2025, with NASA reassessing Starliner’s status before any future crewed missions are scheduled.
For the most current information on the Boeing Starliner program and NASA’s commercial crew efforts, visit the NASA Commercial Crew Program official website.
The coming months will be critical for Boeing, NASA, and the future of commercial crewed flights. The outcome will shape how astronauts travel to the ISS and beyond for years to come.
Learn Today
Starliner → Boeing’s spacecraft designed for crewed missions to the International Space Station.
Crewed flights → Space missions that carry astronauts onboard the spacecraft.
Thrusters → Small propulsion devices used to maneuver spacecraft in orbit safely.
Helium leaks → Loss of helium gas causing potential safety and pressure control problems in spacecraft.
Certification → Official process NASA uses to approve a spacecraft for safe human spaceflight.
This Article in a Nutshell
Boeing’s Starliner program faces delays as NASA postpones all crewed flights until 2026 due to technical thruster problems. The next mission will be uncrewed, increasing NASA’s reliance on SpaceX for astronaut transport. Boeing aims to resolve issues through extensive tests, seeking to restore confidence and resume crewed flights safely.
— By VisaVerge.com