What is a 'Type A' mishap according to NASA?

A 'Type A' mishap is classified by NASA if it results in the death or permanent disability of a crew member; if the hull of a crewed vehicle comes apart; if there's an unexpected departure from controlled flight; or if damages exceed $2 million.

How many recommendations were made to prevent future Starliner issues?

Investigators made 61 formal recommendations for NASA and Boeing to prevent similar mistakes in the future.

When will NASA fly another crew on Starliner?

NASA will not fly another crew on Starliner until the technical causes of the mission failures are understood and corrected.

Home / Technology / NASA's Starliner Failure: A 'Type A' Mishap Echoes Shuttle Disasters

NASA's Starliner Failure: A 'Type A' Mishap Echoes Shuttle Disasters

19 Feb

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Summary

Starliner's crewed flight is classified as a 'Type A' mishap by NASA.
The botched flight put astronauts in category with Challenger and Columbia disasters.
61 recommendations were made to prevent future NASA and Boeing mistakes.

NASA's Starliner Failure: A 'Type A' Mishap Echoes Shuttle Disasters

NASA has formally categorized the 2024 Boeing Starliner crewed test flight as a "Type A" mishap, placing it in the same serious category as the Challenger and Columbia shuttle accidents. The mission's critical failures, which included propulsion system issues and helium leaks, resulted in a significantly prolonged stay for astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams aboard the International Space Station. This extended ordeal was caused by the spacecraft’s inability to safely return the crew.