All articles tagged with #oig
A NASA Inspector General report ties Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner problems to overconfidence in heritage designs, rushed schedules, and limited access to flight-simulation data, warning that certification for ISS crew flights could slip further—Starliner-1 remains unscheduled amid staffing and data-access gaps.
A NASA Inspector General report questions whether Boeing's Starliner will ever receive human-rating certification, noting multiple test flights and a crewed mission were hampered by parachute issues, helium leaks, and propulsion failures, with unrealistic schedules and budget constraints cited as key obstacles as NASA and Boeing weigh next steps before the ISS is decommissioned in 2030.
A NASA Office of Inspector General report warns that aging launch facilities at Kennedy Space Center and Wallops Flight Facility are near capacity as Artemis, SpaceX, Blue Origin and others boost launch activity. The infrastructure strain—roads, power, gas and helium pipelines—could hinder future missions, with estimates showing about $1 billion needed for upgrades (only $250 million funded in the latest bill). The report calls for prioritized infrastructure fixes and explores new funding mechanisms to support ongoing upgrades as demand rises through 2028–2030 and beyond.
NASA’s inspector general warns that the agency’s xEVAS, a commercial model for Artemis and ISS spacesuits, faces technical and management risks, with schedule optimism likely unrealistic and potential demonstrations pushed to 2031 if delays persist. Axiom Space continues lunar suit work, Collins Aerospace faced performance issues and was largely descoped, and NASA has increased support. Despite this, agency and industry officials still cite progress toward a 2028 lunar mission and an in‑space suit demonstration next year, though schedule margins remain tight.
NASA is retooling Artemis to test landers ahead of any crewed Moon landing and to focus on achievable objectives, but a NASA Inspector General report warns there is no capability to rescue astronauts stranded on the lunar surface. The plan depends on SpaceX and Blue Origin landers, with challenges such as Starship refueling logistics and a tight eight-degree tilt tolerance for safe landings, as NASA plans two lunar landings in 2028 despite delays and ongoing risk reduction efforts.
NASA’s Office of the Inspector General warns the Artemis Human Landing System program has serious gaps in testing and crew-survival analyses for SpaceX’s Starship HLS and Blue Origin’s Blue Moon landers, meaning a failure could leave astronauts stranded without a feasible rescue. The report calls for clearer funding rules, contract updates, and enhanced risk analyses as NASA pushes toward 2028 crewed Moon landings (Artemis 4/5), though the technical feasibility and cost impacts remain uncertain.
A Transportation Department inspector general report says the FAA lacks enough inspectors to effectively oversee United Airlines’ maintenance, with the United Certificate Management Office understaffed for a growing 737 fleet. The audit notes partial implementation of five prior recommendations, inadequate training to assess safety data, and a reliance on virtual inspections when on-site reviews are restricted. The FAA agreed with five of six recommendations, while partially concurring on guidance about postponing inspections; United emphasizes its own safety systems and ongoing collaboration with the FAA.