NASA Grounds Boeing Starliner Until 2026 Due to Major Technical Failures; All Missions Halted

International News: NASA has officially grounded the Boeing-built CST-100 Starliner spacecraft until at least 2026, following the discovery of critical technical issues. The move comes in the aftermath of a significant malfunction during the Crew Flight Test conducted in June 2024, which raised serious safety concerns.

What Went Wrong?

During the crewed test mission, NASA engineers detected a helium gas leak in the Starliner’s propulsion system. Matters escalated further when, upon docking with the International Space Station (ISS), 5 out of the capsule’s 28 control thrusters failed. This malfunction greatly compromised the spacecraft’s maneuverability, putting the lives of the onboard crew at risk.

Sunita Williams and Crew Stranded at ISS

Among the astronauts on board was Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams. Due to the thruster failure, the crew remained stranded on the ISS for several months. NASA, prioritizing crew safety, decided not to use the faulty Starliner for re-entry. Instead, they coordinated with SpaceX to safely return the astronauts using its reliable Dragon spacecraft.

Joint Repair Efforts Underway

Both NASA and Boeing teams have since been working around the clock to identify and resolve the technical defects in the Starliner. Despite continuous testing and repair efforts, the vehicle has not yet been deemed safe for flight. According to NASA officials, a crewed mission cannot be expected before late 2025 or 2026.

Next Flight Will Be Uncrewed

NASA has confirmed that any future launch of the Starliner will initially be uncrewed. A successful demonstration without astronauts on board will be a prerequisite before reauthorizing human spaceflight missions using the vehicle.

Temporary Suspension of All Starliner Missions

Until further notice, NASA has suspended all planned Starliner missions. The space agency emphasized that astronaut safety remains the top priority, and no mission will proceed until the vehicle meets all safety standards.

Reflects its commitment to crew safety

The grounding of Boeing’s Starliner capsule underlines the unpredictable challenges of human spaceflight. Even minor technical flaws can escalate into life-threatening risks in space. NASA’s cautious approach reflects its commitment to crew safety and operational integrity, ensuring that no human mission will be launched until complete reliability is achieved.