NASA's new chief rebukes Boeing, space agency over problem-plagued Starliner mission that left astronauts stuck in space for months

February 20, 2026

TL;DR

An independent review found Boeing's Starliner piloted test flight was a near-fatal "Type A" mishap.
Multiple technical problems and management failures contributed to the mission's issues.
Astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams were stranded in orbit for 286 days due to Starliner's problems.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman admitted agency failures and promised accountability.
No further crewed Starliner flights will occur until all technical issues are resolved and investigated.
The investigation revealed decision-making and leadership flaws within NASA, creating a culture that risked mission and crew safety.
Boeing was awarded a $4.2 billion contract for Starliner, while SpaceX received $2.6 billion for its Crew Dragon.
Starliner experienced helium leaks and thruster failures during its flight.
Astronauts ultimately returned to Earth aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.
The investigation issued 61 recommendations to address technical, organizational, and cultural issues.

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