NASA is exploring several key steps to ensure Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft remains safe and operational, especially as the agency anticipates a future without access to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft. According to multiple sources, NASA may announce as early as next week that it will order two additional crewed Starliner missions, help cover the costs of fixing thruster issues, and support the certification of Starliner’s launch on a new rocket. These measures come in response to SpaceX’s recent indication that it plans to retire the Crew Dragon by 2030, possibly sooner. Currently, Crew Dragon is the only operational spacecraft NASA has for routine astronaut missions to low-Earth orbit. SpaceX has not publicly committed to extending the Crew Dragon’s operations, despite having long signaled its intent to phase it out. Recently, the company has started confirming its plans to retire the Dragon program, a significant shift given that the vehicle began carrying astronauts just six years ago. SpaceX is shifting its focus toward its larger Starship rocket, which it aims to use for launching Starlink satellites and a new constellation of orbital data centers. During a recent appearance on the All-In Podcast, SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell was asked if the company would continue operating Crew Dragon “for some time.” Shotwell did not commit to that, saying, “We’re not retiring it today, for sure.” However, she suggested that Boeing should take on more responsibility and deliver on its commitments. “There is another provider,” she said, referring to Starliner. She noted that Boeing has received substantial funding from the government to develop its spacecraft and emphasized that the company should now take the lead in ensuring its capsule is operational. This development highlights the growing reliance on multiple spacecraft providers for human spaceflight. As SpaceX transitions to its Starship program, NASA is looking to Boeing to maintain a second operational crewed spacecraft, ensuring continued access to low-Earth orbit and supporting the agency’s broader exploration goals. The coming weeks will be critical in determining the future of Starliner and the broader landscape of U.S. human spaceflight.