NASA chief calls Boeing Starliner ‘one of the worst’ in agency history

Nasa has classified the failed 2024 Starliner mission, which resulted in a prolonged space stay for two astronauts, as a "Type A" mishap, akin to previous shuttle disasters, in a newly released report.

This category, the most severe from the agency, is designated for incidents leading to over $2 million (£1.49 m) in losses, damage to or loss of a vehicle, or fatalities.

On Thursday, Nasa's new administrator, Jared Isaacman, criticised Boeing, the maker of Starliner, and the agency itself for the poor decisions and leadership that resulted in the mission's failure.

The incident captured worldwide interest after the astronauts spent over nine months in space, finally returning last March.

Isaacman, who assumed leadership of Nasa in late 2025 after being appointed by US President Donald Trump, noted the spacecraft had recurring issues in earlier missions but was still approved for testing.

"We are addressing these errors. Today, we officially announce a Type A mishap and are ensuring leaders are held accountable to prevent such situations from recurring."

Nasa's "Type A" classification equates the Starliner incident with the deadly 2023 Columbia and 1986 Challenger shuttle disasters.

The agency's statement said: "Despite the absence of injuries and regaining control before docking, this highest-level classification acknowledges the potential for a major mishap."

Nasa's 312-page report follows an independent investigation aimed at uncovering the underlying causes of the mission's issues.

The investigation revealed hardware failures, leadership blunders, and organisational cultural flaws that did not meet the agency's safety standards.

The report also pointed out inadequate engineering and oversight by Boeing, turning a planned eight-to-14-day mission into a months-long predicament for test pilots Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore.

The duo remained on the International Space Station (ISS) for months until they could return on a SpaceX flight in March 2025. Both have since retired from Nasa.