NASA Prepares Boeing CST-100 Starliner for Another Test After Crew-9’s Troubled Mission

On 5 June 2024, the NASA Crew-9 launched for the ISS aboard a Boeing CST-100 Starliner commercial crew vehicle but was unable to return home until 19 March 2025. After the team’s successful splashdown, NASA is examining options as it prepares for another Starliner test flight.

The Boeing CST-100 Starliner To Undergo A Series Of Tests Before Its Next ISS Mission

The Boeing CST-100 Starliner was unable to return the NASA Crew-9 astronauts to Earth after their nine-day mission aboard the ISS due to some faults. According to reports, the commercial crew vehicle suffered helium leaks and thruster failures, making it unsafe for the Crew-9 members to board it back to Earth.

Following the return of these astronauts back to Earth, NASA says that they are now preparing to test the Starliner spacecraft before using it for another mission. Steve Stich, NASA commercial crew program manager, points out that this test flight might be with or without a crew on board.

He says that the test flight will usher in crew rotation flight using the Starliner commercial space vehicle. This test will show off the changes to the Boeing CST-100 Starliner following its mishap with the Crew-9 mission members, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore.

Stich also identifies areas where areas where changes have been made to the commercial space vehicle. In an official statement, he says that “the prop system in the service module” is one area that needs proper modification ahead of the test flight.

There is also the need to “eliminate the helium leaks, eliminate the service module thruster issues that we had on docking,” as Stich points out. Despite the high chance of this test flight being an uncrewed flight, NASA is working hard to ensure that it can accommodate a crew.

Boeing Committed To Return The CST-100 Starliner To Full Operation

Efforts to fix the Boeing CST-100 Starliner Crew-9 mission issues aren’t resting on just NASA. Boeing is also working hard to ensure that this commercial space vehicle is back in full operation.

Despite the woes that the aerospace firm is facing, it keeps its resolution to keep Starliner in operation alive. Steve Stich says that “Boeing, all the way up to their new CEO, Kelly [Ortberg]” are showing full commitment to Starliner.”

As of 7 March 2025, NASA and Boeing have been able to identify and fix 70% of the inflight issues from the CFT mission. The lingering issue that is still under observation is the propulsion problems that commercial space vehicles face.

Considering that the success of this test flight will mean a lot to the agency, there is no rush in making repairs and modifications. Once all fixes are made and the Boeing CST-100 Starliner is certified for crewed flight, it will complete its post-certification missions.