Technical Failures and Extended Stay in Orbit
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams launched aboard Starliner in June 2024 for what was intended to be a short-duration test mission. Roughly a day into flight, as the spacecraft approached the International Space Station for docking, multiple maneuvering thrusters malfunctioned. The crew intervened manually to stabilize the situation.
The thruster issues were among four major technical problems identified during the mission. As engineers conducted ground testing and debated corrective actions, Wilmore and Williams remained aboard the ISS far longer than originally planned. The mission stretched to nine months before NASA decided to bring them home using SpaceX’s Dragon capsule.
NASA later classified the mission as a “Type A” mishap — the agency’s most serious failure category. Such a designation typically reflects substantial spacecraft damage or significant risk to crew safety.
Internal Friction and Cultural Concerns
Beyond the technical breakdowns, the report describes tense interactions between NASA officials and Boeing representatives. Interviews cited in the review recount heated meetings marked by raised voices and confrontational exchanges. Some participants described the environment as emotionally charged and counterproductive, with disagreements escalating rather than being resolved constructively.
Investigators noted that unclear conflict-resolution processes contributed to strained working relationships. The report also pointed to a “fragile partnership dynamic,” suggesting that NASA leaders were cautious in challenging Boeing’s assessments in part because of concerns about the company’s long-term participation in the Commercial Crew Program.
That hesitation, according to the report, may have influenced risk acceptance decisions during critical moments of the mission.
