NASA Declares Boeing Starliner Test Flight a Top-Level Mishap

Spacecraft faced technical difficulties during docking with the International Space Station.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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NASA has classified Boeing's recent crewed test flight of the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft as a "Type A mishap," the highest level in the agency's mishap reporting system. The decision comes after an investigation found combined hardware failures, qualification gaps, leadership missteps, and cultural breakdowns that created risk conditions inconsistent with NASA's human spaceflight safety standards.

Why it matters

The Starliner program has faced a series of challenges, and this latest incident raises concerns about the spacecraft's readiness for future crewed missions. NASA's declaration of a top-level mishap underscores the importance of addressing technical and organizational issues to ensure the safety of astronauts on future flights.

The details

During the Starliner's first crewed test mission to the International Space Station in June 2024, the spacecraft encountered propulsion system anomalies that led to an extended 93-day flight instead of the planned 8-14 days. NASA ultimately decided to return the spacecraft without the two astronauts on board, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who later safely returned to Earth aboard a SpaceX mission.

  • The Starliner launched on its first crewed test mission on June 5, 2024.
  • The spacecraft landed at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico in September 2024.
  • NASA chartered an independent investigation team in February 2025 to examine the mission's issues.
  • The investigation report was completed in November 2025.

The players

NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the U.S. government agency responsible for the civilian space program, aeronautics, and space research.

Boeing

An American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, and telecommunications equipment, as well as provides leasing and product support services.

Jared Isaacman

The current NASA Administrator, who announced the agency's classification of the Starliner test flight as a top-level mishap.

Butch Wilmore

One of the two astronauts scheduled to fly on the Starliner's crewed test mission.

Suni Williams

The other astronaut scheduled to fly on the Starliner's crewed test mission.

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What they’re saying

“The Boeing Starliner spacecraft has faced challenges throughout its uncrewed and most recent crewed missions. The technical difficulties encountered during docking with the International Space Station were very apparent.”

— Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator (statenews.net)

“Today, we are formally declaring a Type A mishap and ensuring leadership accountability so situations like this never reoccur.”

— Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator (statenews.net)

What’s next

NASA and Boeing will continue to work together to identify and address the technical root causes of the issues encountered during the Starliner's crewed test flight, with the goal of implementing corrective actions to improve the safety of future missions.

The takeaway

The Starliner's technical difficulties and NASA's declaration of a top-level mishap highlight the importance of rigorous testing, quality control, and organizational culture in the development of new spacecraft for human spaceflight. This incident will likely lead to increased scrutiny and oversight to ensure the safety of astronauts on future Starliner missions.