Boeing plans to launch an uncrewed Starliner mission, designated Starliner-1, between December 2026 and January 2027, followed by a crewed flight, Starliner-2, in 2028, according to NASA and company statements.

The timeline represents a renewed effort to restore the spacecraft's operational capability after a series of technical setbacks delayed earlier schedules. NASA has indicated it will exercise options for two additional ISS-bound flights beyond the current contract, which originally called for six missions but was reduced to four in 2025.

Starliner-1 will carry cargo to the International Space Station, with the crewed Starliner-2 mission contingent on the success of the uncrewed test. The move comes as NASA seeks to maintain U.S. capability for crew transport to orbit, particularly as SpaceX's Crew Dragon remains the only currently operational system for such missions.

In 2024, a crewed Starliner flight test ended prematurely when NASA aborted the mission due to multiple system failures, leaving astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams aboard the ISS until they returned via SpaceX Crew-9 in September 2024. Since then, Boeing has reported closing 19 of 21 identified anomalies from that test, including upgrades to thruster valves, parachute joints, and battery systems.

NASA has added three additional Crew Dragon missions to the ISS schedule through 2028, reflecting continued reliance on SpaceX for crew transport. The agency has emphasized that sustaining domestic access to space remains critical for the transition to commercial space stations and long-term ISS operations.

Boeing has stated its goal of restoring Starliner's flight readiness, citing progress in resolving technical issues. The company has not provided a revised launch date for Starliner-1 beyond the December 2026–January 2027 window, which remains subject to testing and certification of the Vulcan rocket, intended to eventually replace the Atlas V launch vehicle used for prior Starliner flights.

The renewed focus on Starliner occurs amid broader uncertainty about the future of U.S. human spaceflight capabilities and the evolving landscape of commercial space infrastructure.