"The head of NASA sent a scathing letter to employees on Thursday, outlining the failures of the botched Boeing Starliner mission that left a pair of astronauts stuck in space. Jared Isaacman slammed "design and engineering deficiencies" but said the "most troubling failure" was decision-making and leadership. "If left unchecked, [it] could create a culture incompatible with human spaceflight," he added."
"The mission took place in June 2024, flying two NASA astronauts to the International Space Station. However, helium leaks saw Starliner's thrusters malfunction. The mission was supposed to last eight days, but the pair ultimately spent over 90 days in space before returning to Earth on a SpaceX flight. "We returned the crew safely, but the path we took did not reflect NASA at its best," Isaacman told staff."
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman condemned significant failings in the Boeing Starliner mission, citing design and engineering deficiencies and, most critically, breakdowns in decision-making and leadership. The June 2024 flight experienced helium leaks that caused thruster malfunctions, extending an expected eight-day mission to more than 90 days before the crew returned on a SpaceX flight. The incident was formally designated a Type A mishap, with reported costs far exceeding Type A thresholds. The initial failure to declare a mishap was influenced by concern for the Starliner program's reputation. An investigation found unprofessional behavior, including yelling in meetings, alongside praise for controllers and crew who recovered the spacecraft.
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