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Program Overview
Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner program, developed in partnership with NASA under the Commercial Crew Program (CCP), is designed to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS) using a new generation of reusable, human-rated spacecraft. The program’s goal is to re-establish U.S. crew launch capabilities and create a competitive commercial market for access to low-Earth orbit.

The CST-100 Starliner is launched atop a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket and is capable of carrying up to seven passengers, or a mix of crew and cargo. NASA missions typically involve four astronauts for long-duration expeditions aboard the ISS.

Key Milestones
- Pad Abort Test (November 2019): Successfully demonstrated Starliner’s launch escape system from the pad.
- OFT-1 (December 2019): First uncrewed orbital test flight; the spacecraft reached orbit but did not dock with the ISS due to a timing anomaly.
- OFT-2 (May 2022): Second uncrewed test flight; successfully completed full mission profile, including docking with the ISS and safe landing.
- CTF / CFT (Crew Flight Test): Planned to demonstrate Starliner’s full capabilities with astronauts aboard before operational missions commence.

Capabilities
The Starliner spacecraft features a weldless structure, autonomous flight capability, touchscreen controls, manual backup systems, and an advanced launch escape system. It is designed for reusability (up to 10 flights per capsule) and lands on solid ground using parachutes and airbags — a unique feature among current U.S. crew vehicles. Typical landing sites include the deserts of New Mexico and other U.S. western ranges.

Achievements
While the program has faced delays and technical challenges, each milestone has contributed to critical progress toward certifying the Starliner for regular crewed flights. OFT-2's successful ISS docking and safe return marked a major turning point, proving system reliability and validating changes made since OFT-1.

Starliner aims to provide NASA with a second, redundant crew launch system alongside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, enhancing flexibility and safety for U.S. spaceflight operations.

Partners
NASA (Commercial Crew Program)
Boeing (Spacecraft developer and integrator)
United Launch Alliance (Launch services using Atlas V rocket)

Launch Site
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Launch Complex 41

Landing Sites
White Sands Space Harbor (New Mexico), Dugway Proving Ground (Utah), and other western U.S. desert locations

LANDING REHEARSALS
LANDING REHEARSALS
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BOE-OFT 1
BOE-OFT 1

Mission Objective
The Boeing Orbital Flight Test-1 (Boe-OFT 1) was the first uncrewed orbital mission of the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, conducted as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. The mission aimed to demonstrate the Starliner's capabilities in launch, autonomous orbital operations, rendezvous, docking, re-entry, and landing. A successful test would have paved the way for subsequent crewed missions to the International Space Station (ISS).

While the Starliner achieved several test objectives, an anomaly with the Mission Elapsed Time (MET) clock prevented it from docking with the ISS as planned.

Mission Highlights
Boe-OFT 1 launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex 41 on December 20, 2019, at 6:36 a.m. EST, aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. Approximately 31 minutes into the flight, an issue with the spacecraft's MET clock caused the Starliner to perform an incorrect orbital insertion burn, placing it into an unintended orbit and precluding a rendezvous with the ISS.

Despite this anomaly, the mission team conducted additional tests during the spacecraft's time in orbit to gather valuable data on the Starliner's systems. After approximately two days in space, the Starliner performed a deorbit burn and successfully landed at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico on December 22, 2019, at 5:58 a.m. MST, marking the first land touchdown of a human-rated capsule in U.S. history.

Payload
The Starliner carried an Anthropomorphic Test Device (ATD) named "Rosie the Rocketeer," equipped with sensors to collect data on the forces experienced during the mission. Additionally, the spacecraft transported approximately 600 pounds of cargo, including supplies and equipment intended for the ISS crew.

Prelaunch Milestones
10/04/19 – Starliner spacecraft arrives at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
11/21/19 – Integrated systems testing completed
12/06/19 – Flight readiness review
12/17/19 – Launch readiness review

Launch
December 20, 2019; 6:36 a.m. EST
Launch Pad: Space Launch Complex 41 (SLC-41)
Launch Vehicle: Atlas V N22
Spacecraft: CST-100 Starliner
Firing Control: United Launch Alliance Launch Control Center

Orbit
Achieved Orbit: Approximately 116 by 230 miles
Inclination: 51.6 degrees
Duration: Approximately 2 days
Distance Traveled: Data not specified

Landing
December 22, 2019; 5:58 a.m. MST
White Sands Space Harbor, New Mexico
Recovery Operations: Conducted by Boeing and NASA recovery teams

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BOE-OFT-2
BOE-OFT-2

Mission Objective
The Boeing Orbital Flight Test-2 (Boe-OFT-2) was the second uncrewed flight of the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, conducted under NASA's Commercial Crew Program. The mission aimed to demonstrate Starliner's capabilities in autonomous flight, docking, re-entry, and landing, following the incomplete objectives of the initial Orbital Flight Test. A successful mission would pave the way for future crewed missions to the International Space Station (ISS).

All primary test objectives were successfully achieved, with Starliner demonstrating safe rendezvous and docking with the ISS, as well as a safe return and landing.

Mission Highlights
Boe-OFT-2 launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Space Launch Complex 41 on May 19, 2022, at 6:54 p.m. EDT, aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. After separation from the launch vehicle, Starliner performed an orbital insertion burn, successfully entering its planned orbit.

The spacecraft autonomously docked with the ISS on May 20, 2022, at approximately 8:28 p.m. EDT, marking a significant milestone in validating its docking capabilities. Starliner remained docked for several days, during which the ISS crew conducted system checkouts and transferred cargo.

On May 25, 2022, at 2:36 p.m. EDT, Starliner undocked from the ISS and began its return journey. The spacecraft executed a deorbit burn and re-entered Earth's atmosphere, deploying its parachutes and landing safely at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico at 6:49 p.m. EDT. Recovery teams successfully retrieved the capsule for post-mission analysis.

Payload
Crew supplies and equipment to simulate future crewed missions.
Anthropomorphic Test Device (ATD) equipped with sensors to collect data on the environment experienced during the mission.

Prelaunch Milestones
04/2022 – Starliner spacecraft arrives at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
04/2022 – Integration of spacecraft with Atlas V rocket
05/2022 – Flight readiness review
05/2022 – Static fire test completed

Launch
May 19, 2022; 6:54 p.m. EDT
Launch Pad: Space Launch Complex 41 (SLC-41)
Launch Vehicle: Atlas V N22
Spacecraft: CST-100 Starliner
Firing Control: United Launch Alliance Launch Control Center

Orbit
Altitude: ~250 miles (ISS orbit)
Inclination: 51.6 degrees
Duration: Approximately 6 days

Landing
May 25, 2022; 6:49 p.m. EDT
White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico
Recovery Operations: Conducted by Boeing and NASA recovery teams

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BOE-CFT
BOE-CFT

Mission Overview
The Boeing Crew Flight Test (Boe-CFT) was the inaugural crewed mission of Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft. Launched on June 5, 2024, this mission aimed to demonstrate Starliner's capabilities in transporting astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS) as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. The mission was initially planned for a short duration but was extended due to technical challenges encountered during the flight.

Key Details
- Launch Date: June 5, 2024, 14:52:15 UTC
- Launch Vehicle: Atlas V N22
- Launch Site: Space Launch Complex 41 (SLC-41), Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, USA
- Docking Date: June 6, 2024, 17:34 UTC
- Undocking Date: September 6, 2024, 22:04 UTC
- Landing Date: September 7, 2024, 04:01:35 UTC
- Mission Duration: Approximately 94 days
- Crew Size: 2 astronauts

Crew
- Commander: Barry E. Wilmore (NASA)
- Pilot: Sunita Williams (NASA)

Mission Highlights
- Launch and Docking: The Atlas V N22 rocket successfully launched the Starliner spacecraft on June 5, 2024. Starliner autonomously docked with the ISS on June 6, 2024, marking a significant milestone for Boeing and NASA's Commercial Crew Program.
- Extended Mission Duration: Originally planned as a short-duration mission, Boe-CFT was extended due to technical issues with Starliner's thrusters and helium leaks. These challenges necessitated an extended stay aboard the ISS for the crew while solutions were developed and implemented.
- Technical Challenges: During the mission, Starliner experienced thruster malfunctions and helium leaks, prompting thorough investigations and delaying the spacecraft's return to Earth. These issues underscored the complexities of spaceflight and the importance of rigorous testing and contingency planning.
- Crew Return: Due to the identified issues with Starliner, NASA decided it was safer for the crew to return to Earth aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon. Astronauts Wilmore and Williams departed the ISS on March 18, 2025, as part of the Crew-9 mission, and safely landed later that day.
- Starliner Uncrewed Return: Following extensive testing and troubleshooting, Starliner was commanded to undock from the ISS without crew on September 6, 2024, and successfully landed at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico on September 7, 2024. This uncrewed return allowed engineers to analyze the spacecraft's performance and address the encountered issues.

Outcomes
The Boe-CFT mission provided critical data on Starliner's performance in real-world conditions, highlighting areas requiring improvement before regular crewed missions. Despite the challenges, the mission contributed valuable insights into spacecraft operations, safety protocols, and the resilience of astronauts in adapting to unforeseen circumstances. The experiences from Boe-CFT have informed subsequent efforts to certify Starliner for routine crewed flights, advancing NASA's goals for commercial partnerships in human spaceflight.

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