Boeing’s Starliner mission has faced some serious challenges. Recently, NASA classified Starliner’s Crew Flight Test (CFT) as a “Type A mishap.” This designation is severe, putting it alongside historic tragedies like the Space Shuttle Challenger and Columbia.
During a press event, NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya acknowledged the gravity of the situation. He stated, “This was a really challenging event in our recent history. We almost had a really terrible day.”
The CFT launched on June 5, 2024, sending astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore to the International Space Station (ISS) for what was supposed to be a 10-day stay. While Starliner made it to the ISS safely, it had a rocky journey. The spacecraft encountered multiple thruster failures and temporarily lost control over its orientation and trajectory.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman highlighted how critical decisions made during the flight were. He warned, “Had different decisions been made, the outcome could have been very different.”
NASA decided to extend Williams and Wilmore’s stay on the ISS to study the thruster issues in more detail. Eventually, they opted to bring Starliner home uncrewed, which took place on September 6. On reentry, Starliner faced another hiccup with a propulsion failure.
Williams and Wilmore stayed aboard the ISS much longer than planned, returning home in a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule after about nine months in space. Both astronauts have now retired from NASA.
This incident has sparked considerable discussion regarding mishaps in the space industry. NASA recognizes five categories of mishaps, with Type A being the most serious. An incident qualifies as Type A if it results in over $2 million in damage or involves unexpected flight behavior. Starliner’s journey clearly matched these criteria.
Interestingly, during the initial aftermath of the CFT, NASA didn’t classify the mission as a Type A mishap. Isaacman suggested that this was influenced by concerns over the Starliner program’s reputation, which prioritized certification over safety considerations.
As NASA moves forward, it has authorized an independent investigation into the CFT issues, which finished its report in November. An update is expected soon, and NASA is committed to solving the thruster problems before Starliner can carry astronauts again. For now, the spacecraft is set for an uncrewed cargo mission to the ISS in April.
The future of the ISS is uncertain, with plans for retirement by 2030. This raises questions about the role of Starliner beyond its intended use. Isaacman sees potential for Starliner in a future filled with commercial space stations in low Earth orbit. “America benefits by having multiple pathways to take our crew and cargo to orbit,” he said.
The lessons learned from the CFT can help improve safety in future missions. As the space industry evolves, resilience and adaptability will be key.
