06:57 AM EDT, 03/28/2025 (MT Newswires) -- NASA said Thursday it, along with Boeing ( BA ) , expects the next flight of its Starliner craft to take place later this year or early 2026, as the aircraft maker and NASA continue certification efforts following the last crew test.

More than 70% of flight observations and in-flight anomalies have been closed at program-level control boards in an effort to address findings from the recent crewed flight test. Investigations into propulsion system issues, however, remain ongoing and are expected to extend into next year.

Upcoming testing at White Sands will examine thruster performance in high-heat environments, with potential design and operational changes under consideration to manage temperatures and avoid overheating, the space agency said.

Engineers are also assessing new seal materials for the helium lines to help prevent leaks during future missions, NASA said.

Once testing is complete, NASA will finalize plans for the next crewed flight, but may opt for a cargo-only mission depending on the International Space Station, it added.