NASA doesn't want to depend on one company
In the steady march toward a more resilient human presence in low Earth orbit, NASA has named veteran astronauts Scott Tingle and Edward Fincke to lead Boeing's Starliner-1 — the spacecraft's first fully operational crewed mission to the International Space Station. Their selection, announced in late September 2022, reflects both institutional confidence in a long-delayed vehicle and a broader ambition to ensure that no single contractor holds the keys to humanity's access to the station. Before that milestone can be reached, however, the spacecraft must first prove itself in a certification test flight planned for early 2023.
- Years of delays and technical setbacks have made Boeing's Starliner one of the most scrutinized spacecraft in NASA's Commercial Crew Program, and the pressure to finally deliver is immense.
- A crewed certification test flight carrying astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams must launch and succeed before any operational mission can be formally authorized.
- Problems discovered during the uncrewed test in May pushed the certification timeline from late 2022 into early 2023, leaving Boeing racing to resolve engineering issues under close public and agency scrutiny.
- NASA's naming of Tingle, Fincke, and mission specialist Jeanette Epps sends a deliberate signal: the agency is planning ahead, treating Starliner's operational future as a matter of when, not if.
- If certification succeeds, NASA gains a second domestic crew vehicle alongside SpaceX's Dragon — a redundancy that fundamentally changes the agency's flexibility and independence in scheduling missions to the station.
NASA announced in late September 2022 that veteran astronauts Scott Tingle and Edward Fincke would serve as commander and pilot, respectively, for Starliner-1 — Boeing's first fully operational crewed mission to the International Space Station. Jeanette Epps was named mission specialist. All three have deep spaceflight experience, and their selection signals that NASA is treating the mission not as an experiment but as the beginning of routine service.
Before Starliner-1 can launch, Boeing's spacecraft must complete a crewed certification test flight, currently scheduled for February 2023, with astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams aboard an Atlas V rocket. Only after NASA reviews that flight's data will Starliner be formally cleared for operational missions. The certification requirement reflects a cautious but necessary step following a series of delays and technical problems, including issues that surfaced during an uncrewed test in May 2022.
The broader stakes extend beyond Boeing's reputation. NASA's Commercial Crew Program was designed to cultivate competition and redundancy in crew transportation, but SpaceX's Dragon has so far been the sole operational option since 2020. Starliner's entry into service would give the agency a second domestic pathway to orbit — one that matters enormously for long-term scheduling and independence from any single contractor.
Epps, meanwhile, continues training on Dragon systems as well, a practical acknowledgment that modern astronauts must remain versatile across vehicles. The path forward is clear but conditional: a successful certification flight unlocks everything that follows — routine crew rotations, predictable schedules, and for Boeing, the hard-won validation of years of development.
NASA announced Friday that two veteran astronauts will command and pilot the Starliner-1 mission, marking the spacecraft's first operational crewed flight to the International Space Station. Scott Tingle will serve as commander, with Edward Fincke as pilot. Both men have logged previous time aboard the orbital laboratory. Jeanette Epps rounds out the crew as mission specialist. The flight is targeted for 2023, though the exact date hinges on completing a critical certification test first.
Before Starliner-1 can launch, Boeing's spacecraft must pass a crewed flight test—a demonstration mission designed to prove the vehicle is safe and ready for regular operations. That certification flight, scheduled for February 2023, will carry astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. They will fly aboard an Atlas V rocket provided by United Launch Alliance. Only after NASA reviews the results of that test will the agency formally certify Starliner for operational missions.
The timeline reflects a series of delays and technical corrections. Boeing originally planned to conduct its uncrewed test flight in 2021, then pushed the crewed certification test to December 2022. When problems emerged during the uncrewed mission in May, engineers had to address those issues before proceeding. The company now estimates the crewed test will not launch until early 2023.
Tingle and Fincke's selection underscores NASA's confidence in both the spacecraft and the astronauts chosen to fly it. Tingle has previously served as a flight engineer on the International Space Station. Fincke, who goes by Mike, brings extensive spaceflight experience as well. Their appointment signals that NASA views Starliner as a mature system ready for operational service, pending successful certification.
The mission fits into NASA's broader Commercial Crew Program, a partnership model in which private companies develop and operate spacecraft to ferry astronauts to and from the station. SpaceX's Dragon capsule has dominated this role since 2020, but Starliner's entry into service would provide NASA with a second domestic option for crew transportation. That redundancy matters for mission planning and scheduling. It also strengthens the agency's independence from any single contractor.
Epps, the mission specialist, will continue training in Dragon systems as well. That dual preparation reflects the reality of modern spaceflight: astronauts must be ready to fly different vehicles, and opportunities can shift based on mission needs and schedule changes. Her role on Starliner-1 is secured, but maintaining proficiency across multiple spacecraft keeps her options open for future assignments.
The path forward depends on the certification test. If Wilmore and Williams complete their flight successfully and NASA's engineers sign off on the data, Starliner moves into regular operational status. That would mean routine missions carrying crews to the station, resupply runs, and the kind of predictable schedule that makes long-term planning possible. For Boeing, it represents vindication of years of development. For NASA, it means a second reliable pathway to orbit.
Notable Quotes
Both Tingle and Fincke have previously served aboard the International Space Station and bring extensive spaceflight experience to the mission.— NASA announcement
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why does it matter that Starliner finally has a crew assignment? Isn't SpaceX already doing this?
SpaceX is doing it well, but NASA doesn't want to depend on one company. If Dragon has a problem, there's no backup. Starliner gives them options.
So this is about redundancy in spaceflight?
Exactly. And about competition. When you have two providers, both stay sharp. Prices stay reasonable. Innovation doesn't stall.
What's the real hurdle now—is it the certification test in February?
That's the gate. Wilmore and Williams have to fly it successfully. If something goes wrong, the whole timeline shifts again.
How many times has Boeing already had to delay this?
Several. The uncrewed test had problems. Technical issues kept piling up. This February date is what they're committing to now, but spaceflight doesn't always cooperate.
And if certification passes, what happens to Tingle and Fincke?
They launch on Starliner-1 later in 2023. They become the first operational crew on a Boeing spacecraft. That's historic for the company, even if it doesn't feel like it yet.