NASA and Boeing leadership discussed Starliner’s development and plans for regular crew flights to and from the International Space Station as the agency faces Dragon’s retirement by or before 2030 and considers extending the station’s lifetime to 2032.
NASA Weighs Fleet Future and Private Destination Partnerships
With the retirement of Dragon likely by or before 2030, NASA faced a difficult decision for its future in low-Earth orbit. As the space agency contemplates extending the International Space Station’s lifetime to 2032 and supports the development of private space stations known as commercial LEO destinations, it needed a reliable method to transport astronauts.
Some critics suggested that NASA should fund a second crew competition including Boeing, Blue Origin with its under-development space vehicle, and potentially other firms such as The Exploration Company. However, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman seemed reluctant to make such an investment, which likely would cost billions. During a news conference, Isaacman noted that NASA’s future demand for astronaut flights to low-Earth orbit will be two seats every six to nine months.
Addressing Technical Fixes and Spacecraft Certification
Dana Weigel, manager of NASA’s Low Earth Orbit Program, detailed the engineering resolutions during a press briefing alongside agency leadership.
Dana Weigel, manager of NASA’s Low Earth Orbit Program, explained that the crew module thruster anomaly was determined to be caused by corrosion resulting from residual hydrazine propellant and atmospheric exposure, specifically carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Boeing has implemented procedures to flush out the hydrazine and isolate the thrusters from the environment.
Commercial Strategy and Seat Pricing for Future Missions
Boeing appears energized by the opportunity to claim the mantle of the nation’s provider of access to low-Earth orbit for U.S. astronauts.
“We’re incredibly excited about the partnership with NASA. To continue to fly to the International Space Station, and then obviously, with the Vulcan certification, missions beyond the current six that we have. Certainly, we have talked to all of the CLD providers about becoming their preferred transportation supplier in the future.”
John Mulholland, vice president and program manager of Commercial Crew at Boeing
For the Starliner-2 through Starliner-6 missions, NASA and Boeing have agreed to a price point of approximately $90 million per seat. However, pricing for the 2030s remains flexible as negotiations continue with commercial space station operators.
Mulholland noted that detailed pricing could not be provided to commercial destination suppliers because the Vulcan rocket and spacecraft have not yet received certification, leaving detailed launch pricing pending for future development.
Upcoming Leadership Updates at Kennedy Space Center
Further details regarding Starliner development and regular crew flights to the International Space Station will be addressed during a scheduled news conference at 3 p.m. EDT on Monday, Sept. 28. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, Dana Weigel, NASA astronaut Woody Hoburg, and Boeing Commercial Crew Vice President John Mulholland are scheduled to participate in the briefing hosted at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
