NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman criticized both Boeing and NASA for mishandling the Starliner spacecraft’s first crewed test flight, which took place in June 2024. A detailed 311-page report outlined issues that arose during the mission, including multiple thruster failures that prevented astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams from docking at the International Space Station (ISS). As a result, the astronauts returned home later in a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.
Isaacman categorized the incident as a Type A accident, which is the highest classification of failure, similar to the Space Shuttle Challenger and Columbia disasters. While the Starliner mission did not result in crew fatalities, it highlighted critical design flaws and, more importantly, organizational and leadership failures at both Boeing and NASA.
The report stressed that the trust between the two organizations has deteriorated, exacerbated by cumulative pressures and poor decision-making. Isaacman emphasized that leadership accountability is necessary moving forward.
Experts suggest that this situation may lead to increased oversight for NASA contractors and more transparency in future operations. Despite plans to decommission the ISS by the decade’s end, Isaacman remains committed to flying the Starliner, emphasizing that NASA will maintain two options for crew transport to the ISS: Boeing and SpaceX. The report includes 61 recommendations aimed at addressing the identified issues before the next manned Starliner mission. Boeing has stated its commitment to collaborating with NASA for future missions.
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