(Washington, D.C.) – House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Brian Babin issued the following statement in response to the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel’s (ASAP) 2025 annual report evaluating NASA’s safety performance and identifying key challenges as the agency advances increasingly complex human spaceflight missions:
"I appreciate the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel’s important work in providing independent oversight of NASA’s programs," said Chairman Babin. "As we return astronauts to the Moon and prepare for even more ambitious missions, safety must remain a high priority. Congress, NASA, and our industry partners must continue working together to strengthen accountability, manage risk responsibly, and ensure every mission is conducted with the utmost care for the crews who make exploration possible."
The report acknowledged progress in areas such as Artemis II readiness and International Space Station operations, while warning that workforce, acquisition, governance, and mission complexity require sustained attention as NASA prepares for future lunar missions.
Congress established ASAP in 1968 following the Apollo 1 tragedy to provide independent safety advice to policymakers and NASA.