What is the name of the uncrewed ISS cargo mission, the fourth orbital flight of the Starliner spacecraft, that NASA and Boeing plan to launch no earlier than April 2026?

The uncrewed ISS cargo mission that NASA and Boeing aim to launch no earlier than April 2026 is known as Starliner-1. This mission represents a crucial step for Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, which was developed under NASA's Commercial Crew Program to provide independent human spaceflight capabilities for the United States. Starliner-1 will primarily deliver vital supplies and equipment to the International Space Station, ensuring continued support for the orbiting laboratory's operations and ongoing scientific research.

This upcoming flight marks the fourth orbital mission for the Starliner spacecraft. Its predecessors include the Orbital Flight Test (OFT-1) in 2019, the successful Orbital Flight Test 2 (OFT-2) in 2022, and the Crew Flight Test (CFT) in 2024. The CFT, while reaching the ISS with astronauts, encountered propulsion system issues that ultimately led to the crew returning to Earth aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule. Consequently, NASA and Boeing mutually agreed to pivot Starliner-1 from its original plan as a crewed mission to an uncrewed cargo flight, allowing for in-depth validation of system upgrades and modifications implemented after the challenges faced during prior tests.

The decision to fly Starliner-1 as an uncrewed cargo mission underscores a commitment to safety and thorough testing before the spacecraft can regularly transport astronauts. This flight will serve as a critical in-flight validation of the redesigned and upgraded Starliner systems, particularly its propulsion. A successful Starliner-1 mission is essential for Boeing to achieve full certification for crewed flights, ultimately contributing to NASA's strategy of maintaining a robust and redundant system for ferrying humans to and from the International Space Station.