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NASA Report Reveals Alarming Details of Boeing Accident That Stranded Astronauts in Space

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NASA announced significant findings on Thursday regarding a failed Boeing flight to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2024, which left two astronauts stranded for months.

The investigation outcomes were critical of both Boeing and NASA, highlighting issues such as inadequate testing, communication breakdowns, and leadership failures.

The report categorized these incidents as a “Type A disaster,” which is NASA’s highest classification, reserved for accidents that pose severe risks, including significant economic loss and potential fatalities. This designation was previously applied to the tragic loss of Space Shuttle Columbia and its seven crew members in 2003.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, who assumed office in December, stated at a press conference, “We brought our crew home safely, but the path we took did not reflect the best of NASA.” He noted that this incident has fostered a “culture of mistrust.”

The Starliner mission, designed to last approximately eight days, aimed to validate Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft for transporting NASA astronauts to and from the ISS. Launched in June 2024 with astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams aboard, the mission quickly encountered issues.

Shortly after liftoff, mission managers identified a helium leak within the capsule’s propulsion system, leading to multiple thruster failures as the spacecraft attempted to dock with the ISS.

After extensive testing, NASA decided to return the Starliner capsule to Earth without crew. Consequently, Wilmore and Williams remained aboard the ISS for over nine months, awaiting an opportunity for recovery.

NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, before boarding Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner in 2024.Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/AFP – Getty Images File

NASA’s comprehensive report illustrates the growing distrust between NASA and Boeing, citing a “chaotic meeting schedule” during the mission and a willingness among managers on both sides to overlook risks.

While the investigation highlighted Boeing’s shortcomings in producing and testing the Starliner spacecraft, Isaacman emphasized that NASA’s civilian crew program also bears responsibility.

“While Boeing constructed the Starliner, NASA permitted and launched two astronauts into space,” he clarified, stating that NASA “must acknowledge our mistakes to ensure they are not repeated.”

NASA Deputy Administrator Amit Kshatriya further emphasized that both NASA and Boeing’s actions compromised the safety of Wilmore and Williams.

“The authorities have failed them,” Kshatriya asserted at a news conference. “We must recognize our responsibility to them and all future crews.”

In response, Boeing expressed gratitude for NASA’s thorough investigation, noting that significant progress has been made in addressing the technical challenges and cultural changes within the team since the incident.

To safely return Williams and Wilmore, NASA enlisted SpaceX, which transported them in a Dragon capsule alongside NASA astronaut Nick Haig and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov, concluding their six-month mission on the ISS. They landed safely in March.

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft successfully docks at the ISS on July 3, 2024.NASA (via AP)

Wilmore retired from NASA in August 2024 after 25 years, having spent 464 days in space. Williams announced her retirement last month after a remarkable 27-year career and 608 days in space.

In late 2024, NASA officials confirmed they were collaborating with Boeing to enhance the Starliner’s thrusters and that corrective actions would follow the investigation’s release.

Isaacman stated that NASA “will not allow new crew members aboard Starliner until the underlying technical problems are identified and resolved.”

Boeing developed the Starliner spacecraft as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, initiated in 2011 to ensure safe civilian transport following the retirement of NASA’s space shuttles. Competing company SpaceX has been regularly flying its Crew Dragon spacecraft to the ISS since 2020.

The recent report is the latest in a series of challenges faced by Boeing. Prior to the Starliner crisis in 2024, the company dealt with issues concerning its 737 Max 9 planes, which saw critical failures leading to accidents and extensive scrutiny.

Boeing’s Starliner program experienced a difficult start; its unmanned debut in 2019 was aborted due to a software error that prevented docking at the ISS. Following delays caused by fuel valve issues, Boeing eventually demonstrated successful docking and return to Earth in 2022.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Boeing Starliner capsule astronauts from NASA set to return home in nine months

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NASA Astronaut Suni Williams and Butch Willmore have finally returned home.

The astronauts, who had initially planned to visit the International Space Station for just a week, ended up staying for over nine months and are now scheduled to leave on Tuesday.

Their journey back to Earth marks the end of a unique chapter in spaceflight history. Williams and Wilmore gained recognition when they embarked on the first crew test flight of Boeing’s Starliner capsule in June. However, issues with the vehicle’s thruster during docking with the space station led to NASA returning the Starliner to Earth without anyone on board.

As a result, Williams and Wilmore had to extend their stay, but they are now set to depart on Tuesday at 1:05am aboard the SpaceX Dragon Capsule. The astronauts are expected to splash down off the Florida coast at 5:57pm ET.

Joining them on the return flight are NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian astronaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.

The timing of their return on Tuesday was determined based on optimal conditions expected for the evening of March 18th, as stated in a NASA statement.

The four-person crew arrived at the space station in September aboard a SpaceX vehicle, carrying Hague, Gorbunov, and two empty seats for their colleagues. Williams and Wilmore stayed behind to allow Hague and Gorbunov to complete their mission.

Despite the challenges they faced, Williams and Wilmore have embraced their extended stay in space and have enjoyed their time orbiting the Earth.

In a recent news briefing, Williams and Wilmore chose to focus on their mission rather than engage in politics. Williams expressed her disagreement with Elon Musk’s suggestion that the US should halt operations on the International Space Station earlier than planned.

“I think we’re thriving right now,” she said. “It’s not the right time to abandon it.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Astronauts launching into space in Boeing capsules reduce the number of pairs flying together

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A team of four astronauts is gearing up for launch to the International Space Station on Wednesday. This marks the beginning of the process to bring NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Willmore back to Earth.

Williams and Wilmore have been capturing public interest since their launch in June on a test flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. Initially planned to stay at the space station for a week, they are now set to spend nine months in orbit.

During their journey to the ISS, the Boeing capsule faced various challenges like thruster malfunctions and propellant leaks. Consequently, NASA decided to return the Starliner craft to Earth with only one crew member, leaving the two astronauts aboard the orbiting outpost.

NASA then rearranged crew rotations to free up seats on the SpaceX Dragon Capsule for Williams and Willmore to return home.

On September 29th, the capsule arrived at the space station carrying NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos astronaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. The plan is for Willmore and Williams to hitch a ride back with them at the end of their approximately six-month mission.

As the new crew gets ready to launch, NASA astronauts Anne McLain and Nicole Ayers, Japanese astronaut Onishi, and Russian astronaut Kiril Peskov are set to blast off into space on Wednesday aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket for the Crew-10 mission.

The liftoff is scheduled for 7:48pm from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The Crew-10 astronauts are expected to dock around 6am on Thursday and reach the space station later that day, taking over from the current crew of four.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

NASA astronauts to extend their stay in space by boarding Boeing spacecraft

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NASA announced on Tuesday that two astronauts have been stranded on the International Space Station since a problem with their Boeing spacecraft in June. Due to delays, they will have to remain there even longer.

The next astronaut launch to the ISS, originally scheduled for February, has been postponed to late March. This is to allow the new SpaceX spacecraft used for the mission more time to complete processing.

The four crew members currently on board the station must wait for the next crew member to arrive before departing in another SpaceX Dragon capsule. Among them are NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who are set to embark on the first test flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.

Originally planned to spend about a week on the space station, Williams and Wilmore have now been living and working in orbit for over nine months, including additional time due to the recent delay.

Typically, new crew members overlap with departing crew members for a short period on the ISS, known as the handover period. During this time, astronauts exchange information about ongoing experiments, maintenance projects, and other protocols.

When Williams and Wilmore finally depart, NASA astronaut Nick Haig and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov will also return home with them.

December 2, 2024, ISS astronaut Suni Williams.
NASA (via Flickr)

According to officials, the new Dragon capsule scheduled for launch in late March should arrive at NASA’s processing facility in Florida in early January. Steve Stich, NASA’s commercial crew program manager, emphasized the meticulous attention to detail required in manufacturing, assembling, testing, and integrating a new spacecraft.

The capsule, known as Crew 10, will be launched by NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nicole Ayers, Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, and Japanese cosmonaut Takuya Onishi. Until then, the quartet will continue training for the mission at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Boeing executives stay mum following Starliner spacecraft’s return

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summary

  • Boeing executives have made few public comments about the company’s Starliner spacecraft in the past six weeks.
  • The capsule returned to Earth without any crew on Saturday, ending a trouble-plagued test flight.
  • Boeing representatives did not attend a scheduled post-landing briefing.

Just over an hour after Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft returned empty to Earth, NASA held its regular post-landing briefing to discuss the conclusion of the eventful test flight.

Conspicuous by the absence of any Boeing representatives at the event early Saturday morning.

In fact, the last time Boeing representatives attended a press conference about the Starliner program was in late July, when the capsule was experiencing hardware issues that caused it to stay a few weeks longer than planned at the International Space Station, and questions were swirling about whether the two NASA astronauts who had been sent into orbit aboard the Boeing-built spacecraft would be able to return home safely.

NASA officials say they are working closely with Boeing, but the company’s absence from the event and limited public statements have raised questions about its commitment to transparency and the future of the Starliner program.

Boeing did not respond to multiple requests for comment on the change in the company’s name recognition.

Ahead of a post-landing news conference held last week at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, NASA’s public advisory included the names of two Boeing executives who will be participating.

Eric Berger, a senior editor at Ars Technica, was there. Written About X Shortly before the press conference began, two chairs were removed from the podium, in what appeared to be a last-minute change in configuration.

Joel Montalbano, NASA’s associate administrator for Space Operations Mission Directorate, Asked about Boeing’s absence During the briefing

“We spoke to Boeing prior to this, and they gave NASA the concession to represent them on this mission,” he said.

A few days later, in response to a question from NBC News, a NASA spokesperson referred Montalbano to his response at the press conference.

Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager for Boeing’s commercial crew programs, instead attended the briefing. A statement on the company’s website.

“I commend the Starliner team for their hard work in ensuring a successful and safe undocking, deorbit, re-entry, and landing,” he wrote. “We will review the data and determine next steps for the program.”

Boeing said the capsule would be transported to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where engineers would analyze the flight data. No other details about the spacecraft’s status were released.

Starliner launched astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station in early June. The capsule’s first manned test flight was scheduled to last about eight days. However, a helium leak from the spacecraft’s propulsion system and a thruster failure while docking with the space station kept Starliner and its crew in space for months.

NASA held several media briefings over the summer to provide updates on the ongoing investigation into the thruster issue and how its findings might affect the remainder of the flight. Initially, NASA and Boeing officials attended the briefings jointly, but no Boeing representatives were present at the August press conference.

That month, NASA was considering how and when to return Wilmore and Williams safely. Asked why Boeing was absent from most of the briefings in August, NASA officials said the updates were for NASA consideration and therefore no company representatives were included.

On August 24, NASA announced it would ask SpaceX to return the astronauts and fly Boeing’s Starliner back to Earth without a crew member. The pair will stay on the space station until February, after which they will return with the next ISS crew.

in X Statement In response to NASA’s decision, Boeing wrote: “Our focus remains first and foremost on the safety of our crew and spacecraft. We are conducting the mission in accordance with NASA’s decision and are preparing the spacecraft for a safe and successful uncrewed return.”

The Starliner spacecraft ultimately returned safely to Earth, landing at White Sands Spaceport in New Mexico just after midnight on Saturday.

The manned test flight was intended to demonstrate that Boeing could reliably transport astronauts to the space station and pave the way for NASA to approve regular flights to the orbital laboratory.

Boeing developed the Starliner spacecraft under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, an effort launched in 2011 to support privately built spacecraft to fill the gap left by NASA’s retired space shuttle fleet.

Even before its latest flight, the Starliner program was more than $1.5 billion over budget and years behind schedule: In 2019, an uncrewed test flight to the space station was canceled due to technical issues, forcing the company to wait until 2022 to try again.

Rival company SpaceX is developing its Crew Dragon spacecraft as part of the same program, with regular flights to the space station beginning in 2020. NASA has said it wants two private companies to certify such flights so it has redundant options for reaching low Earth orbit.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Boeing Starliner spacecraft embarks on return voyage without crew members

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Wilmore and Williams were present to assist with the detachment of Starliner from the space station.

“We’re cheering for you. You’re going to be fine,” Williams communicated to mission controllers at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston before the capsule separated. “Bring us back to Earth. Best of luck.”

Starliner’s journey back will mark the end of a turbulent few months for Boeing and NASA, whose test flights were meant to show that the spacecraft could reliably transport astronauts to low Earth orbit and pave the way for NASA to approve Boeing for regular flights to the space station.

However, the issues with the thrusters are the latest setback for Boeing’s Starliner program, which is already more than $1.5 billion over budget and years behind schedule even before its first launch. An initial uncrewed test flight that NASA required before Boeing’s spacecraft could carry astronauts also failed, leading the company to try again in 2022.

NASA officials stated earlier this week that they are collaborating with Boeing to enhance Starliner’s thrusters, and further analysis will be conducted once the spacecraft returns and engineers evaluate its performance.

To prepare for a potential thruster malfunction as Starliner embarks on its return journey, flight controllers adjusted the capsule’s usual undocking process: After separating from the space station, Starliner would automatically move away from the station in case of any issues.

Preliminary data showed that the thrusters successfully completed all 12 scheduled burns during the retreat, according to NASA.

Several hours later, at 11:17 pm EST, Starliner’s engines will execute a 59-second “de-orbit burn,” decelerating the spacecraft and initiating its reentry into Earth’s atmosphere. As it nears the landing location in New Mexico, parachutes will be deployed to slow the capsule, with airbags beneath the spacecraft deployed to cushion the landing.

For Boeing, a successful return of the Starliner spacecraft will be mixed feelings: If all goes well, it could demonstrate that NASA astronauts could safely ride back on the spacecraft, although NASA’s senior leadership unanimously opted for SpaceX to handle the return flight to reduce the risk of further setbacks.

Boeing designed the Starliner spacecraft as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which began in 2011 to support private spacecraft in place of NASA’s retired space shuttle fleet. Competitor SpaceX is developing its Crew Dragon spacecraft under the same program, which has been conducting regular round-trip missions to the space station since 2020.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

NASA reveals astronauts stranded in space will wait for SpaceX spacecraft instead of returning in Boeing capsule.

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NASA announced on Saturday that SpaceX will bring home the two astronauts who have been stranded on the International Space Station since early June due to issues with Boeing’s spacecraft. Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will return to Earth aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft instead of the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. This decision follows months of uncertainty within the space agency regarding the safe return of the crew members on a mission initially planned to last eight days.

The problems with the Starliner spacecraft have posed a significant setback for Boeing’s space program, which has been struggling to keep up with SpaceX. The Starliner program was already over budget and behind schedule before the launch of Wilmore and Williams in June.

Top NASA officials, led by Administrator Bill Nelson, held a formal review in Houston and based their decision on the results of tests conducted in orbit and on the ground. The announcement to choose SpaceX for the astronauts’ return was made during a press conference at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

Although the return plans have been finalized, Wilmore and Williams will remain on the space station for approximately six more months before coming back in February. NASA revealed that two seats on SpaceX’s next launch, Crew 9, will be left empty to accommodate the astronauts on their return journey.

The Crew 9 mission is scheduled to launch on September 24 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Meanwhile, the troubled Starliner spacecraft will return to Earth without its crew.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

The Boeing spacecraft: What went wrong?

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The astronauts launched aboard the Starliner on June 5. The following day, they faced difficulties.

As Starliner neared the International Space Station, five of its 28 Reaction Control System thrusters failed, causing a nearly one-hour delay in the docking process.

Located on the spacecraft’s service module, these thrusters are crucial for maneuvering the capsule in orbit, especially during docking and undocking with the space station.

Although all four thrusters were eventually fixed, prompting NASA to launch an investigation into the cause of the failure.

Engineers from NASA and Boeing have been testing the thruster performance using a test engine at the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico, under conditions similar to those experienced by the capsule during its journey to the space station.

Mission managers also performed a “hot fire test” by firing Starliner’s thrusters briefly while docked to the space station.

Initial results revealed that most of the thrusters operated normally, but a small Teflon seal expanding at high temperatures potentially blocked propellant flow to the thruster, leading to the docking issues.

Steve Stich, NASA’s commercial crew program manager, mentioned the need for further testing to ensure ground tests accurately simulate on-orbit conditions. They also want to understand how the thruster issues impact Starliner’s ability to undock safely from the space station.

Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore at Space Launch Complex 41 in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on June 5.
Chris O’Meara/AP Files

Additionally, the team is monitoring the spacecraft’s propulsion system for slow helium leaks.

Despite knowing about a helium leak before Starliner’s launch, officials discovered two more leaks in the capsule’s service module shortly after liftoff.

NASA confirmed that the propulsion system was stable and that the rate of helium leaks was not critical for the spacecraft’s return to Earth.

Further testing and analysis were conducted by additional propulsion experts hired by the company earlier this month.

The decision to return Wilmore and Williams aboard Starliner or use SpaceX for their return will determine their orbital stay extension into the new year, potentially until February for Wilmore, who could return with two other crew members aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft.

NASA is expected to announce its decision on the astronauts’ return in the coming days.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

NASA to determine astronauts’ return method on Boeing spacecraft within two weeks

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Should NASA opt to utilize SpaceX for the return journey, Wilmore and Williams would be required to stay aboard the space station for an additional six months.

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft is set to launch a new crew to the orbital outpost in September on a mission named Crew 9. NASA has announced a change in plans to send only two astronauts instead of the initial four, and could potentially use the available seats to bring back Wilmore and Williams at the conclusion of Crew 9 in February.

Under this scenario, the Starliner spacecraft would return to Earth without one crew member, as stated by NASA.

Bowersox mentioned on Wednesday that no decisions have been made as yet, but NASA must soon finalize a plan to manage the space station’s resources and ensure smooth operations in orbit.

“We’re approaching a point where a decision needs to be made by the end of August, potentially even earlier,” he explained.

The launch of Wilmore and Williams marked the first crewed test flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. This mission was intended to serve as a critical final test before NASA grants approval for Boeing to conduct regular trips to and from the International Space Station.

However, in June, five of Starliner’s thrusters malfunctioned as the spacecraft was nearing the space station, leading to a delay in the rendezvous and docking process. Helium leakage was detected from the capsule’s propulsion system during the flight. Mission managers were already aware of this issue prior to Starliner’s launch into orbit, but stated that it was unlikely to impact the mission or the astronauts’ safety.

Joe Acaba, astronaut office chief at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, stated that astronauts undergo training for potential contingencies, including accidents that could result in an extended stay in space.

While in orbit, Wilmore and Williams utilize their free time to conduct scientific experiments and assist the space station’s crew with maintenance work.

Acaba mentioned that the duo are kept informed about NASA’s decision-making process, but ultimately must rely on the expertise of engineers and mission managers on the ground.

“They will adhere to our directives. That’s their duty as astronauts,” Acaba affirmed.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

NASA is contemplating extending Boeing astronauts’ stay on space station until February

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NASA is considering keeping its two astronauts there until February as they make their way to the International Space Station after the Boeing spacecraft encountered problems during the flight.

NASA said Wednesday it was still considering options for how to return astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams safely to Earth and that no plans had been made yet, but officials acknowledged more openly than before that it may decide to use a SpaceX capsule instead.

“Our first option is to return Butch and Suni aboard Starliner,” Steve Stich, NASA’s commercial crew program manager, said at a press conference Wednesday. “But we are making the necessary plans to ensure we have other options and are working with SpaceX to ensure we are prepared to respond.”

Wilmore and Williams arrived at the space station on June 6 on the first crewed test flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. The original plan was to stay in space for about a week. But a problem with five of Starliner’s thrusters caused the spacecraft’s propulsion system to leak helium, leaving the astronauts stranded in space for more than two months while engineers on the ground gather data on the problem and attempt to troubleshoot it.

The mission was planned as the final step before Boeing is approved to launch regular crewed flights to the ISS, a process whose fate is now up in the air.

NASA gave no indication of when astronauts might return in the Boeing capsule, but Stich said a final decision would need to be made by mid-August.

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore (left) and Suni Williams before boarding the Boeing Starliner spacecraft at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on May 6.
John Laux/AP File

Meanwhile, the launch of one of SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, which was scheduled to deliver a new crew of four to the space station later this month, has been postponed to give NASA and Boeing more time to address issues with the Starliner.

SpaceX mission (Crew 9) NASA officials said they could change plans to send just two crew members into space on the spacecraft instead of four, and use the capsule to bring Wilmore and Williams home.

Ken Bowersox, associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate, said there had been disagreements over how to bring the astronauts home safely.

“We have to admit that when we have disagreements, it’s not fun,” Bowersox said. “Those discussions can be painful, but that’s what makes us a good organization, and it helps us make good decisions in the future when we get to that point, and I don’t think we’re that far away.”

If Wilmore and Williams were to return to Earth in a separate spacecraft, mission managers could adjust Starliner’s software to detach it from the space station and return to Earth without a crew member, Stich said.

Boeing officials did not attend the briefing, but a company representative said in a statement that “we remain confident in Starliner’s capabilities and flight principles.”

“Should NASA decide to modify the mission, we will take the necessary steps to prepare Starliner for an uncrewed return,” the statement said.

The thruster problem occurred as Starliner approached the space station in June, forcing a delay in the docking process. Meanwhile, the helium leak was already on mission managers’ radar before launch, who said at the time that the leak was unlikely to affect the mission or the safety of astronauts.

NASA and Boeing engineers have been trying to replicate on-orbit conditions with a test engine at NASA’s White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico, and mission managers have also conducted two “hot-fire” tests in space, in which the capsule’s thrusters were briefly fired while docked to the space station.

Stich said Wednesday that tests showed that small Teflon seals expand under high temperatures, possibly contributing to the thruster failure. When the seals expand, they likely block the flow of propellant to the thrusters, he said.

Further testing is needed to understand the cause of the potential blockage and why it went undetected during the recent hot-fire test. Last week, NASA reported that the thrusters used to steer the spacecraft in orbit and guide it into position before re-entering Earth’s atmosphere appeared to be stable.

“This gives us a lot of confidence in the thruster, but we can’t prove with complete certainty that what we’re seeing in orbit is exactly what we’re replicating on the ground,” Stich said.

The recent Starliner debacle has been a blow to Boeing, especially since the program was already years behind schedule and more than $1.5 billion over budget before astronauts even launched.

Boeing and SpaceX developed the space capsule as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, an effort launched more than a decade ago to help private companies build new spacecraft to carry astronauts to low Earth orbit. The program began after NASA retired the Space Shuttle.

SpaceX has been ferrying astronauts to the International Space Station since 2020.

Dennis Chou

Dennis Chou is a science and space reporter for NBC News.

Tom Costello, Jay Blackman and Juliet Arcodia Contributed.

Source: www.nbcnews.com