NASA has swiftly replaced key leaders within its human spaceflight division following the release of a damning report on the inaugural crewed mission of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. The changes, announced February 26th, come less than a week after the agency classified the flight as a “Type A mishap” – the most severe designation reserved for catastrophic failures, historically applied to disasters like the Challenger and Columbia space shuttle tragedies.
Leadership Changes Take Effect Immediately
Joel Montalbano will now serve as acting associate administrator for the Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD), while Dana Hutcherson steps into the acting program manager role for the Commercial Crew Program (CCP). Both appointments are effective immediately. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized the need for “strong leadership” in achieving the agency’s ambitious goals, including maintaining U.S. dominance in low Earth orbit and pushing beyond current capabilities.
The shakeup follows the retirement of Ken Bowersox, former head of SOMD, and a shift in responsibility for Steve Stich, the previous CCP leader, who will now advise the Human Landing System (HLS) program – NASA’s effort to develop lunar landers for the Artemis missions. SpaceX is slated to land astronauts on the Moon first, with Boeing following on Artemis 5, assuming the program stays on track.
Starliner’s Troubled First Crewed Flight
Boeing’s Starliner completed its first crewed flight in June 2024, but it was far from seamless. The capsule experienced thruster malfunctions during its journey to the International Space Station (ISS), forcing NASA to return it uncrewed in September 2024. Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore remained on the ISS for nine months, eventually returning on a SpaceX Crew Dragon in March 2025 – significantly longer than the originally planned ten-day mission.
The “Type A Mishap” Designation and Accountability
NASA’s internal review, released February 19th, revealed a concerning detail: the agency delayed classifying the Starliner flight as a “Type A mishap,” potentially due to concerns about damaging the program’s reputation. Administrator Isaacman explicitly stated that “programmatic advocacy exceeded reasonable balance,” putting the mission, crew, and the broader U.S. space program at risk. He vowed “leadership accountability” as a result.
While NASA officials have not directly linked today’s leadership changes to the report’s findings, the timing strongly suggests a direct response. The agency’s reluctance to explicitly acknowledge the connection underscores the sensitivity surrounding the Starliner program’s performance and the need to restore confidence in Boeing’s capabilities.
Experienced Leaders Stepping In
Montalbano brings extensive experience as a NASA flight director, ISS program manager, and director of Human Space Flight in Russia. Hutcherson previously served as a deputy manager for CCP’s systems engineering and integration, as well as its launch vehicle systems. Both have received multiple NASA leadership awards, signaling their proven track record within the agency.
The swift action by NASA demonstrates its commitment to addressing the shortcomings identified in the Starliner review and ensuring the safety and reliability of future human spaceflight operations. The reshuffle highlights the high stakes of crewed missions and the critical need for transparent accountability in the pursuit of space exploration.
