NASA has officially classified Boeing’s 2024 Starliner crewed test flight as a "Type A mishap" – its most serious safety rating – following a damning report revealing hardware failures, leadership gaps, and cultural issues. The decision comes nearly two years after astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams faced propulsion anomalies during their extended 93-day space station mission 🌌.
"The risks created during this mission were unacceptable," said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman at a press conference this week. The spacecraft temporarily lost maneuverability during its ISS docking attempt in June 2024, with technical problems persisting through its dramatic September 2024 landing in New Mexico 🏜️.
A 21-month investigation highlighted multiple breakdowns:
Faulty propulsion system components
Inadequate safety protocols
Communication failures within Boeing’s team
While both astronauts returned safely via SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission in March 2025, NASA insists Boeing must address all issues before Starliner’s next flight. The space agency is now implementing new oversight measures to prevent repeat scenarios 🛠️.
This development shakes up the ongoing "space taxi" race between Boeing and SpaceX, with NASA reaffirming its commitment to crew safety above all. More updates expected as Boeing works through 85+ corrective actions 📑.
