NASA Officially Classifies Boeing Starliner Failure As A Maximum-Level Type A Mishap
Jalopnik • • general
Key Points:
- NASA has classified the 2024 Boeing Starliner mission failure as a Type A mishap, the highest level of failure, indicating over $2 million in damage or loss of vehicle control, marking the mission as a disaster despite astronauts avoiding a worst-case crash scenario.
- The failure involved thruster malfunctions during the Starliner's approach to the ISS, potentially risking a catastrophic collision and endangering the International Space Station itself, with financial risks estimated to exceed hundreds of millions of dollars.
- NASA's investigation revealed organizational and oversight failures, including rushed approvals despite unresolved technical issues, excessive trust in Boeing's reputation, and insufficient scrutiny of subcontractors, leading to systemic problems.
- Internal conflicts and unprofessional behavior among NASA personnel during the mission further
