Boeing's Starliner capsule, which faced years of technical problems and was previously pushed aside in NASA's plans, is set to return as a key part of the agency's spaceflight strategy. Ars Technica reports that NASA will order additional Starliner missions and assist in certifying a new rocket to support those flights. The move signals a shift in how NASA intends to use the vehicle, which had been overshadowed by SpaceX's Crew Dragon.
According to the report, the decision stems partly from the sizable government investment in Starliner. One source quoted in the article said, "They should fly their capsule. The government paid a lot of money for that." That sentiment appears to align with NASA's renewed interest in getting more use out of the existing hardware rather than leaving it idle.
Because there is only one source, there are no conflicting accounts to compare. The article suggests that NASA's new approach involves both ordering more missions and taking steps to ensure a viable launcher is available, which could extend Starliner's operational life well beyond its earlier testing phase.