Boeing’s Starliner has once again found itself at the center of the spaceflight conversation after a turbulent year for both the spacecraft and Boeing’s broader space ambitions. Listeners following commercial spaceflight will remember that the Starliner’s most recent crewed mission, originally planned as a short-duration eight-day trip, turned into an extended odyssey that lasted nearly a year. Astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita Williams were left aboard the International Space Station after NASA decided it was too risky to return them in the Starliner due to unresolved issues with its propulsion system, raising renewed questions about Boeing’s human spaceflight program and its reliability. NASA ultimately opted to send a SpaceX Crew Dragon as a rescue vehicle, safely returning both astronauts to Earth and underscoring SpaceX’s role as a critical backup for NASA’s orbital operations, according to Fox Weather and AOL.

The long-term outcome of this saga hit a milestone this week, as NASA announced the retirement of veteran astronaut Butch Wilmore. Wilmore, who contributed five spaceflights spanning over 460 days in space and participated in missions aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis, Soyuz, and Crew Dragon in addition to Starliner, chose to step down after decades of distinguished service. NASA’s Steve Koerner praised him for his fortitude and dedication, stating his legacy would inspire future explorers. During his final, extended Starliner mission, Wilmore added more hours to his spacewalk record, carrying out crucial experiments while stuck on the ISS – a mark of professionalism amid technical headwinds for Boeing.

Meanwhile, Williams remains active with NASA, speaking to families and children about embracing science and space exploration, and reflecting on the unpredictability of space missions—her eight-day assignment stretching to nearly nine months after the Starliner setback, as reported by WBZ NewsRadio.

Boeing as a company is contending with both the aftermath of the Starliner ordeal and the uncertainty surrounding its future space contributions. According to Fox Weather, last month’s Starliner malfunction prompted major internal reviews, with NASA still expressing concerns about the spacecraft’s ability to safely handle re-entry for future flights. There’s also increased scrutiny on Boeing’s role in other ambitious NASA projects, such as the Space Launch System "Mega Moon Rocket," whose timeline now wobbles in light of Boeing’s recent public announcements.

Outside of human spaceflight, Boeing continues to make headlines with its military and technology divisions. In the last few days, the company unveiled its design for the F/A-XX, a sixth-generation naval fighter meant to succeed the F/A-18 fleet. Unveiled at the Tailhook Symposium and detailed in AeroNews Journal and Aviation A2Z, the F/A-XX leverages elements from Boeing’s land-based F-47 stealth program as part of the Navy’s Next Generation Air Dominance initiative, a sign that Boeing is seeking to reaffirm its lead in advanced aerospace tech even as its space program struggles.

There’s also notable movement among Boeing-built uncrewed vehicles: the U.S. Space Force's X-37B spaceplane, which Boeing builds and supports, just launched its eighth mission on August 21, focusing on advanced communications and sensor tests. This highlights Boeing’s place in reusable military spacecraft, an area where it continues to perform strongly, as reported by SOFREP.

While industry rival SpaceX has celebrated its own milestones—such as completing the 30th orbital flight for Falcon 9 and providing vital rescue services for NASA’s stranded crew—Boeing faces tough questions about the Starliner’s future. NASA leadership and stakeholders are weighing options for alternate crew vehicles, and Boeing’s next steps for Starliner remain uncertain.

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