The reusable crew capsule, in development for over a decade, has been designed to transport crew to the ISS and other low-Earth orbit destinations.
While humans may not be present, the upcoming test flight will see Starliner carry supplies and test equipment to the ISS. If all goes well, it will demonstrate its capabilities in launching, docking, and then re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere while performing a safe desert landing.
Boeing’s previous attempt at an uncrewed test flight in 2019 ended in failure due to an unforeseen software glitch. While the capsule was able to reach orbit and land safely, the software problem prevented it from docking successfully with the ISS.
Boeing is estimated to be paying around $410m (£300m) for the upcoming test mission on 30 July which will take place at the Kennedy Space Centre at Cape Canaveral in Florida.
It hopes that Starliner will eventually become an important feature of Nasa’s space programme, being used to...