NASA Replaces Two Top Spaceflight Leaders After Starliner Review
The moves answer an independent review that faulted NASA’s oversight of Boeing’s troubled 2024 Starliner test.
Overview
- Ken Bowersox will retire as associate administrator for space operations, with NASA saying he steps down March 6.
- Deputies Joel Montalbano and Dana Hutcherson were named acting heads of Space Operations and the Commercial Crew Program, respectively.
- Steve Stich is no longer Commercial Crew Program manager and, according to NASA, will move to work with the Human Landing System program.
- NASA’s administrator cited findings of unprofessional conduct and insufficient senior leadership engagement during the Starliner crewed test mishap.
- Crewed Starliner flights remain on hold; an uncrewed cargo mission is on the calendar no earlier than April as NASA implements corrective actions and Boeing continues propulsion testing.