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2026-02-20 14:39:54
NASA classifies Starliner crewed test flight as a Category A accident, the highest severity category, on October 19. The report, released on October 19, assessed the Starliner test flight, which resulted in astronauts being stranded on the International Space Station due to a spacecraft malfunction, as a Category A accident. NASA stated that the Starliner spacecraft lost maneuverability upon approaching the International Space Station with the astronauts, causing related economic losses, thus classifying the test flight as a Category A accident. According to NASA's accident classification, Category A accidents include those resulting in death or permanent total disability, mission failure causing direct property damage of $2 million or more, damage to the crewed spacecraft, and loss of control of the spacecraft under unexpected circumstances. The report indicated that hardware malfunction, certification issues, and leadership errors interacted to create a risk situation that did not meet NASA's crewed spaceflight safety standards. (Xinhua)
