NASA Unveils Starliner Crew Flight Test Investigation Report
NASA has published a report detailing the findings from the Program Investigation Team regarding the Boeing CST-100 Starliner Crewed Flight Test. This report comes as part of NASA’s ongoing commitment to its Commercial Crew Program.
NASA’s Findings on Starliner Crewed Flight Test
During a recent news conference, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman addressed the challenges faced by the Starliner spacecraft during both uncrewed and crewed missions. Although the craft was built by Boeing, NASA managed its launch, which featured two astronauts. Technical issues notably arose during the docking process with the International Space Station (ISS).
Key Insights from the Report
- The Starliner mission launched on June 5, 2024, intended for an eight-to-14-day stay at the ISS.
- Mission duration was extended to 93 days due to propulsion system anomalies detected in orbit.
- NASA decided to return Starliner without astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who later returned via SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission in March 2025.
- An independent Program Investigation Team was formed in February 2025 to explore the issues from the test flight.
- The final report was completed in November 2025.
The investigation revealed a combination of hardware failures, qualification gaps, and leadership missteps contributed to the problems encountered. These factors led to conditions that did not meet NASA’s safety standards for human spaceflight.
Classified as a Type A Mishap
Due to the loss of maneuverability as the crew approached the ISS and the financial implications, NASA classified the incident as a Type A mishap. This designation reflects the potential for serious issues, despite no reported injuries during the mission.
NASA is implementing corrective actions to learn from this experience. Their goal is to enhance crew safety for future Starliner missions and all NASA programs. The space agency continues to collaborate closely with Boeing to address the technical challenges identified during the investigation.
Future Plans and Transparency
NASA emphasizes the importance of transparency, acknowledging both successes and shortcomings of their missions. They are committed to applying the lessons learned from this incident to ensure safer future operations.
The complete investigation report is available online with certain redactions to protect sensitive information. NASA is also preparing a 508-compliant version of the report for accessibility purposes.
