The first crewed flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft came dangerously close to disaster, NASA has revealed, officially classifying the mission as a Type A mishap – the agency’s highest level of incident designation. While astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned safely to Earth, the agency now acknowledges the situation was far more precarious than initially disclosed. The reassessment follows the release of a final report examining the Crewed Flight Test (CFT), launched on June 5, 2024, with the goal of certifying Starliner as a second independent crew transportation system to the International Space Station (ISS), alongside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.
The Starliner mission, intended to be a landmark achievement for Boeing and NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, encountered a series of critical issues during its journey to the ISS. Multiple failures in the service module’s thrusters and helium leaks in the pressurization system were detected. At times, the spacecraft experienced a loss of control in all six degrees of freedom, a technically challenging situation that threatened mission success. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated that the technical difficulties encountered during docking with the ISS were “very apparent,” and emphasized the need for transparency and accountability.
Despite the challenges, redundant systems allowed the mission to continue, and the Starliner successfully docked with the ISS. However, the report concludes that the performance degradation was more severe than initially evaluated. Concerns over the reliability of the propulsion system for reentry ultimately led NASA to make the conservative decision to return Wilmore and Williams to Earth aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule in March 2025, rather than utilizing the Starliner for the return trip. The Starliner capsule itself completed an uncrewed return to Earth on September 6, 2024, landing successfully in New Mexico, as reported by NASA.
This decision underscores the level of technical uncertainty surrounding the vehicle at the time. The priority was to eliminate any additional risk during the critical reentry phase, a notoriously delicate part of any crewed mission. The issues extended beyond engineering failures, with the report too identifying deficiencies in management and the initial assessment of the incident. NASA admitted that the preliminary classification did not fully reflect the potential severity of the situation and that programmatic factors influenced initial communications.
Programmatic Concerns and a History of Delays
The Starliner program has faced significant delays since 2019, when its first uncrewed test flight was hampered by software errors that prevented it from reaching the intended orbit. Boeing has since absorbed substantial cost overruns in an effort to rectify technical problems and maintain the project viable. For NASA, having two independent providers for astronaut transportation is strategically crucial, and relying solely on SpaceX is not an ideal scenario. However, as Isaacman emphasized, safety remains the paramount concern. “We look forward to working with Boeing as both organizations implement corrective actions and return Starliner to flight only when ready,” he said.
The agency is now formally declaring a Type A mishap and ensuring leadership accountability, according to the report. This means a thorough investigation and corrective actions are required before the Starliner is cleared for another crewed mission. NASA is demanding corrections to the propulsion system, additional testing, and a comprehensive review of certification and oversight processes.
The Boeing Starliner is a next-generation spacecraft designed to transport humans and cargo to and from low Earth orbit, as detailed on Boeing’s website. Slightly larger than the Apollo command module or SpaceX Crew Dragon, it can accommodate a crew of up to seven, though NASA currently plans to fly no more than four astronauts per mission. The spacecraft is launched on an Atlas V N22 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41 in Florida.
What’s Next for the Starliner Program?
The Type A mishap designation represents a significant reputational setback for the Starliner program, but NASA views it as an exercise in transparency. Before authorizing another crewed flight, Boeing must demonstrate that the identified issues have been fully resolved. The future of the Starliner hinges on its ability to meet these stringent requirements and regain the confidence of NASA and the public. The agency’s commitment to a second crew transportation provider remains, but safety will continue to be the driving force behind all decisions.
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