NASA Safety Panel Criticizes Handling of Starliner Anomaly

NASA's Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) has criticized the agency's response to the 2024 Starliner spacecraft incident, recommending clearer protocols for declaring in-flight mishaps. During the Starliner's first crewed test flight in June 2024, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams encountered significant issues, including thruster malfunctions and helium leaks, leading to an extended nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The astronauts eventually returned to Earth in March 2025 via a SpaceX Dragon capsule.

ASAP member Charlie Precourt, a former space shuttle commander, highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that without recovery of some control, neither a docking nor a deorbit could have been controllable, potentially leading to loss of vehicle and crew. The panel expressed concern over NASA's decision not to declare the incident as an in-flight mishap or high-visibility close call, which would have initiated a formal safety investigation. Precourt stated that the lack of such a declaration contributed to an extensive period where risk ownership and decision-making authority were unclear.

The panel recommended that NASA review its criteria and processes to ensure unambiguous language requiring the declaration of in-flight mishaps or high-visibility close calls for events impacting crew or spacecraft safety. This recommendation aims to enhance transparency and accountability in NASA's safety protocols.