![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/asap-annual-report-2025-cover.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP), which\u00a0advises\u00a0NASA and Congress on safety, has released its 2025 annual report on NASA\u2019s performance and challenges.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
While the panel acknowledged NASA\u2019s safety achievements, it warned\u00a0that the agency\u2019s biggest challenges stem from interconnected factors\u00a0\u2013\u00a0workforce, acquisition, technical authority, budgets, and the growing complexity of human spaceflight\u00a0\u2013\u00a0requiring\u00a0sustained attention\u00a0as missions\u00a0become more ambitious.<\/p>\n
\u201cIndependent assessments like this will make NASA better,\u201d said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. \u201cThe panel\u2019s report underscores areas where we must raise the bar, from how we structure oversight and manage integrated risk to how we declare and learn from anomalies. We are\u00a0wholly committed\u00a0to transparency.\u00a0That\u2019s\u00a0how we protect crews, earn trust, and keep the Artemis lunar campaign and our transition to a commercial presence in low Earth orbit on a safe, sustainable path.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s report\u202ffocused on\u00a0the following topics:\u00a0<\/p>\n
- \n
- strategic vision and governance\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Moon to Mars program\u00a0<\/li>\n
- future U.S. presence in low Earth orbit\u00a0<\/li>\n
- health and medical risks in human spaceflight\u00a0<\/li>\n
- NASA\u2019s X-59 Low-Boom Flight Demonstrator\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The\u00a0panel\u00a0noted\u00a0progress on Artemis II readiness and improved oversight through the Moon to Mars Program Office, as well as safe\u00a0International Space Station\u00a0operations, advances in astronaut health research, and the first flight of the X-59 Low-Boom\u00a0Demonstrator. At the same time, it flagged\u00a0significant challenges, including Artemis III\u2019s high-risk posture, lessons from Boeing\u2019s Starliner test,\u00a0space station\u00a0deorbit planning, and systemic concerns.\u00a0<\/p>\n
To respond to these new challenges, the panel recommends NASA:\u00a0<\/p>\n
- \n
- Realign its governance of acquisition strategies for human spaceflight-related capabilities agencywide.\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Re-examine the mission\u00a0objectives\u00a0and system architecture for Artemis III and\u00a0subsequent\u00a0missions to\u00a0establish\u00a0a more balanced approach to risk.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Require\u00a0timely\u00a0declaration\u00a0of\u00a0mishap or\u00a0high-visibility\u00a0close\u00a0call.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u201cWe were already on the path to implementing change and this report only adds more urgency,\u201d added Isaacman. \u201cThat means recalibrating our acquisition strategy \u2014 including a build versus buy versus service procurement approach \u2014 restoring core competencies through initiatives like converting contractors to civil servant roles and increasing our launch cadence.\u00a0We\u2019re\u00a0also aligning our long-term vision for the agency and industry to guide priorities. This includes clarifying our plans for the Artemis architecture moving forward and accelerating proposals for human landing systems to preserve schedule margin.\u00a0We\u2019ve\u00a0already shown what transparency and now accountability looks like \u2014 through the Boeing Starliner Program Investigation Team report, we owned our mistakes, classified the mission as a Type A mishap, and launched corrective actions to ensure they never happen again. These steps, along with addressing health and medical risk documentation and overhauling and accelerating programs like X-59, reflect our commitment to live up to the expectations of the world\u2019s most accomplished space agency.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
On Feb.\u00a019,\u00a0Isaacman held a\u00a0news conference<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0present\u00a0the agency\u2019s\u00a0findings from the Starliner Crewed Flight Test.\u00a0Earlier\u00a0this month,\u00a0he\u00a0outlined\u00a0a\u00a0new workforce\u00a0plan<\/a>\u00a0to strengthen\u00a0NASA\u2019s\u00a0core competencies in technical, engineering, and operational excellence.\u00a0The agency\u00a0also\u00a0is\u00a0working with both its human landing system industry providers to\u00a0streamline and accelerate America\u2019s return to the\u00a0surface of the\u00a0Moon\u00a0by 2028.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe panel commends NASA for its impressive efforts in 2025 to strategically enhance the agency\u2019s risk management posture despite turbulence in the agency\u2019s organizational environment,\u201d said\u00a0retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Susan J. Helms, chair of ASAP.\u00a0\u201cWe\u00a0very sincerely\u00a0thank NASA\u2019s leaders and workforce for their passionate dedication to space exploration and their unwavering commitment to the safe pursuit of the nation\u2019s lofty aims to the great benefit of the future of humanity.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The annual report is based on the panel\u2019s 2025\u00a0fact-finding and quarterly public meetings; direct observations of NASA operations and decision-making; discussions with NASA management, employees, and contractors; and the panel members\u2019 experiences.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Congress\u00a0established\u00a0the panel in 1968 to provide advice and make recommendations to the NASA administrator on safety matters after the 1967 Apollo 1 fire claimed the lives of three American astronauts.\u00a0<\/p>\n
To learn more about the ASAP, and view annual reports, visit:\u00a0<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/asap<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n
-end-<\/p>\n
Bethany Stevens \/ Elizabeth Shaw
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1600
bethany.c.stevens@nasa.gov<\/a> \/ elizabeth.a.shaw@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n \n\n\n\nShare<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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