The 2024 test flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which left two astronauts in space for nine months instead of one week, has been officially labeled a "Type A mishap." This is the highest level of failure recorded by NASA, placing the event in the same category as past disasters that resulted in the loss of life. On Thursday, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman released a 300-page report that detailed how technical errors and poor oversight almost led to a disaster. While astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned safely on a SpaceX craft, the investigation shows that the Starliner was not safe for human flight. This announcement marks a sharp change in how NASA talks about its partnership with Boeing, moving from quiet support to public accountability for both the company and the space agency’s own leaders.
Read More: NASA and Boeing Starliner Mission Errors Led to Astronaut Danger and 9-Month Delay
Timeline of the Mission and Oversight Failures
The Starliner mission, using a capsule named Calypso, launched in June 2024. It was intended to be a final test before the craft began regular service.
The Launch: The spacecraft carried Wilmore and Williams to the International Space Station (ISS).
The Problem: During the approach to the ISS, the ship's propulsion system failed. Several thrusters stopped working, making it difficult for the craft to dock safely.
The Delay: What was supposed to be an 8-to-14-day mission turned into a 286-day stay in orbit.
The Return: NASA eventually decided the Starliner was too risky for a crewed return. The capsule returned to Earth empty, while the astronauts waited months for a seat on a SpaceX Dragon capsule.
The Investigation: Initially, NASA allowed the Commercial Crew Program to investigate itself. However, the agency later took over, resulting in the "Type A" report released in February 2026.
Evidence of Technical and Management Errors
The 300-page report outlines specific data points and internal communications that contributed to the mission's failure.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Mishap Category | Classified as "Type A" (the most serious level). |
| Technical Cause | Four major anomalies in the propulsion and thruster systems. |
| Duration | 286 days in space; 270 days longer than the original plan. |
| Financial Impact | Boeing has spent tens of millions of dollars on post-mission fixes. |
| Oversight | The report cites "lax oversight" by NASA and miscommunication between teams. |
"We are taking ownership of our shortcomings… A considerable portion of the responsibility and accountability rests here [at NASA]." — Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator.
The Question of Crew Safety and Launch Decisions
The report raises a difficult question: Why was the Starliner cleared for a crewed flight despite known risks in its development phase?
Internal findings suggest that the thruster failures during docking were not entirely unexpected, yet the craft was permitted to fly. Jared Isaacman noted that the spacecraft "should not have flown with crew on board when it did." This points to a possible gap between engineering warnings and management decisions. Investigators are looking into whether the pressure to compete with SpaceX or to meet contract deadlines influenced the safety checks.
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NASA Oversight versus Boeing Performance
There is a disagreement within the space community regarding who is most at fault for the Starliner's performance.
Focus on Boeing: Some analysts point to Boeing's internal quality control. The company has faced several years of struggles with its aircraft and space divisions. Evidence of propulsion glitches during the 2024 docking suggests that Boeing's hardware did not meet the required standards for human flight.
Focus on NASA: The "Type A" report also blames NASA's own managers. Because this was a "commercial" contract, NASA gave Boeing more freedom to manage its own safety tests. The report suggests this "hands-off" approach was a mistake. Critics argue that NASA failed to double-check Boeing’s work effectively, leading to a "life-threatening" environment for the astronauts.
Long-term Goals and the Need for Redundancy
Despite the harsh findings, NASA says it still wants Boeing to succeed. The agency's strategy is built on having two different companies (Boeing and SpaceX) capable of sending people into space.
Competition: NASA believes having two providers prevents a monopoly and keeps costs down.
Backup Options: If one company’s rocket is grounded, the other can keep the space station running.
Stricter Rules: Isaacman stated that NASA will not put people on a Starliner again until every technical cause is fixed and new investigation rules are in place.
Expert Analysis
Independent observers and agency leaders agree that the culture of safety at NASA must change.
Jared Isaacman has made it clear that "leadership accountability" is coming. While he did not name specific people who would lose their jobs, he indicated that the management style that allowed the 2024 launch will not continue.
Industry experts, such as those cited by Spaceflight Now, note that "nobody within NASA has been held accountable" yet, despite the report's findings. The tension now lies between Boeing’s new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, and NASA leadership. Ortberg must decide if Boeing will continue to spend money on a program that has become a financial and reputational burden, or if they will walk away from the contract.
Read More: NASA Report: Boeing Starliner Mission Failures Stranded Astronauts for Months
Conclusion of Findings
The investigation into the Starliner mission confirms that the spacecraft was not ready for its 2024 crewed flight. The propulsion failures were serious enough to categorize the mission as a major mishap, similar to the level of danger seen in historical shuttle accidents.
Key findings include:
The Starliner's propulsion system was unreliable during critical flight phases.
NASA’s oversight of its private partner was insufficient to catch these risks.
The decision to fly with crew was a mistake based on the data now available.
Next steps:NASA will continue to work with Boeing to fix the propulsion system, but no future crewed dates will be set until the ship is "fully qualified." The agency also plans to change how it manages commercial partners to ensure that "lax oversight" does not happen again. The focus remains on maintaining two American ways to reach space, but only if both meet the highest safety standards.
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Sources Used
CNN: NASA designates botched Boeing Starliner test flight a ‘Type A mishap’ in new report. https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/19/science/nasa-boeing-starliner-investigation-report
Reuters (via US News): NASA Chief Slams Boeing, Agency's Failures in Botched Starliner Astronaut Mission. https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2026-02-19/nasa-chief-slams-boeing-agency-failures-in-botched-starliner-astronaut-mission
Ars Technica: NASA chief classifies Starliner flight as "Type A" mishap, says agency made mistakes. https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/02/nasa-chief-classifies-starliner-flight-as-type-a-mishap-says-agency-made-mistakes/
Scientific American: NASA declares Boeing’s botched Starliner flight a mishap on par with deadly space shuttle disasters. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/nasa-says-a-litany-of-failures-led-to-2024-boeing-starliner-astronaut/
Spaceflight Now: Independent report sharply criticizes NASA management, Boeing for troubled Starliner flight. https://spaceflightnow.com/2026/02/19/independent-report-sharply-criticizes-nasa-management-boeing-for-troubled-starliner-flight/
Gulf News: New Boeing CEO faces hard choices after NASA snubs Starliner for SpaceX. https://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/new-boeing-ceo-faces-hard-choices-after-nasa-snubs-starliner-for-space-x-1.103932207
