NASA boss blasts Boeing and space agency managers for Starliner's botched astronaut flight - AP News
AP News
February 19, 2026
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NASA's boss has publicly criticized Boeing and NASA managers following the failed Starliner astronaut mission, highlighting significant issues with the spacecraft's performance during its test flight. The mission, intended to transport astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS), encountered critical technical problems that prevented it from reaching its destination. This setback raises concerns about Boeing's reliability in developing spaceflight systems and casts doubt on NASA's partnership strategy with commercial companies.
The botched flight occurred despite extensive preparations by both Boeing and NASA. The Starliner spacecraft experienced multiple malfunctions, including issues with its docking system and thrusters, which forced an early abort of the mission. These problems were traced back to a combination of design flaws, software errors, and communication failures between ground teams and the spacecraft. The incident has sparked internal investigations within both companies to identify the root causes and prevent future occurrences.
The failure has significant implications for Boeing's reputation and its ongoing contracts with NASA, particularly the Commercial Crew Program (CCP). Public criticism from NASA's leadership underscores the high stakes involved in developing human spaceflight capabilities. This incident could delay plans for future missions and affect public confidence in the commercial space industry's ability to meet safety standards.
The broader context of this failure lies in its impact on NASA's strategy to rely on private companies for crew transportation to the ISS. While this partnership aims to reduce costs and increase efficiency, the Starliner mishap highlights potential risks associated with outsourcing critical space operations. The incident has prompted a reevaluation of oversight processes and collaboration between government agencies and commercial entities.
Ultimately, the failure emphasizes the importance of rigorous testing and accountability in space exploration. As NASA
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Originally published on AP News on 2/19/2026