Thread by @ChrisG_NSF

Here's the statement on @BoeingSpace #Starliner issue & formation of an independent investigative board of issues on #OFT mission last month.
LINK: blogs.nasa.gov/bridenstine/20…

Interesting notes: .... 1/9

1. Docking to the Station was a contractual requirement for #OFT but - basically - NASA might waive it/allow contract to not be completely fulfilled in order to proceed to the Crew Flight Test. 2/9

"The uncrewed mission, including docking to the space station, became a part of the company’s contract with NASA. ... Although docking was planned, it may not have to be accomplished prior to the crew demonstration." 3/9

2. "NASA and Boeing are in the process of establishing a joint, independent investigation team to examine the primary issues associated with the company’s uncrewed Orbital Flight Test." 4/9

The independent team's report is due after a planned 2-month investigation. <--- Interesting that they appear to be setting a "No Longer Than" limit for the investigation right off the bat. 5/9

3. "NASA is evaluating the data received during the mission to determine if another uncrewed demonstration is required. This decision is not expected for several weeks as teams take the necessary time for this review." 6/9

"NASA’s approach will be to determine if NASA and Boeing received enough data to validate the system’s overall performance, including launch, on-orbit operations, guidance, navigation and control, docking/undocking to the space station, reentry and landing." 7/9

Will be interesting to see how they justify if they got "enough data to validate ... docking/undocking to the space station" when Starliner never reached the Station. 8/9

Anyway, those are the immediate takeaways. 9/9