NASA is seriously considering a shift in its test flight strategy for Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, with agency officials now evaluating the possibility of conducting the next mission as a cargo-only flight. The decision, still under review, comes as Boeing continues to address a series of lingering technical issues with the spacecraft, which is being developed under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program to ferry astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS).
Image: Credit NASA
If approved, the uncrewed test flight could launch as early as 2026. While originally intended to carry astronauts, the next Starliner mission may instead be used to transport cargo, offering NASA a lower-risk opportunity to validate recent modifications — most notably, updates to the spacecraft’s "doghouses," the enclosures that protect critical avionics systems.
The consideration for a cargo-only flight underscores the agency's commitment to safety and thorough testing before transitioning Starliner to operational crewed missions. “Can we test all the changes that we are making to the doghouses, in particular, on the ground, and would we want to validate those in flight first?” a NASA official reportedly told SpaceNews, highlighting the importance of verifying these modifications in space before trusting them with human lives.
The Starliner has had a rocky development path. A high-profile software error during the spacecraft’s first Orbital Flight Test in 2019 prevented it from reaching the ISS, delaying the program and prompting a redesign of several key systems. Since then, Boeing has made multiple attempts to bring the spacecraft up to NASA’s stringent safety standards. A second uncrewed test flight in 2022 was more successful, but persistent issues have continued to push timelines.
Drawing Lessons from SpaceX’s Playbook
NASA’s approach is not without precedent. Before launching astronauts aboard its Crew Dragon spacecraft, SpaceX executed several cargo-only flights with its earlier Cargo Dragon variant. These missions allowed engineers to collect critical performance data and refine systems — a strategy that contributed significantly to Crew Dragon’s eventual success in crewed missions.
Boeing could now follow a similar roadmap. “There’s a lot of advantages… to flying a cargo flight,” a NASA official acknowledged. Sending cargo instead of astronauts not only reduces risk but also provides a vital opportunity to confirm the spacecraft’s performance under real flight conditions, particularly in light of the ongoing upgrades.
Crewed Starliner Missions Still on the Horizon
Despite this potential pivot, NASA maintains that the long-term goal remains unchanged: routine crew transport with Starliner. Officials say that a crewed flight could still occur as soon as the second astronaut rotation slot at the end of 2026 — assuming the cargo mission yields positive results.
“We really are working toward a flight as soon as early next year,” a NASA spokesperson said, though they emphasized that this timeline could shift depending on test outcomes and further technical evaluations.
The outcome of the cargo-only flight will be pivotal for Boeing, which is eager to regain momentum and secure its place alongside SpaceX in NASA’s crew transportation roster. For NASA, ensuring the Starliner is fully tested and reliable before flying astronauts remains the top priority.
By Azhar
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