NASA Inspector General Signals Starliner Certification Delay to 2027

NASA’s crewed spacecraft, the Boeing Starliner, is now expected to receive final certification in 2027, a full decade behind the original schedule set by Boeing. The delay follows a series of technical setbacks and regulatory reviews that have pushed the program’s milestones further back.

The postponement will affect the U.S. space agency’s crew rotation plans, potentially shifting the launch of the first crewed Starliner mission to the late 2020s. NASA will likely adjust its reliance on the SpaceX Crew Dragon for near‑term crew transport while it waits for the Starliner to meet all safety and performance requirements. The agency has not yet issued a revised timeline for subsequent missions, but the 2027 certification target marks a significant shift in the program’s trajectory.