The NASA safety panel, led by retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Susan Helms, criticized NASA for not taking the Starliner incident seriously enough, emphasizing the importance of declaring mishaps and close calls promptly to facilitate effective investigations. Mark Sirangelo, another panel member, highlighted that early declaration allows for quicker and more effective investigative processes. During the Starliner test flight, there was confusion due to NASA's decision not to declare a mishap, with officials downplaying thruster issues and creating ambiguity about the spacecraft's safety for crew return. Ultimately, NASA decided to return the Starliner without astronauts, and the safety panel recommended revising NASA's criteria to ensure clear communication regarding in-flight mishaps or close calls affecting crew or spacecraft safety. This matters because clear safety protocols and communication are crucial for ensuring astronaut safety and mission success.
