The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) released its 2024 annual report, highlighting NASA’s progress in strategic planning, governance, and program management while emphasizing the need for adapting safety strategies to an increasingly commercialized space industry.
NASA has made meaningful strides in aligning long-term objectives across headquarters and field centers through its NASA 2040 initiative. The establishment of the Moon to Mars Program Office in 2023 marks a significant step toward integrating safety and risk management into the Artemis campaign.
However, ASAP identified key safety concerns for NASA’s Moon to Mars efforts, as well as the transition to commercial low Earth orbit destinations and ongoing International Space Station operations. Human health risks in space were also addressed in the report, alongside potential budget constraints’ impact on safety.
The panel’s findings are based on fact-finding missions, quarterly public meetings, direct observations of NASA operations, and discussions with agency personnel and contractors. ASAP Chair Lt. Gen. Susan J. Helms stated that careful attention to vision, strategy, governance, and program management is crucial for the safe execution of NASA’s complex mission.
NASA continues to implement recommendations made by ASAP in previous years, with the agency showing progress toward meeting these goals.
Source: https://www.militaryaerospace.com/commercial-aerospace/article/55266652/nasa-safety-panel-releases-annual-report-on-space-operations