NASA's Associate Administrator for Science Al Diaz announced today, Dr. Michael Ryschkewitsch, Director of the Applied Engineering and Technology Directorate at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Greenbelt, MD, would lead the Genesis Mishap Investigation Board (MIB).

The MIB will gather information; analyze the facts; identify the proximate cause(s), root cause(s) and contributing factors relating to the Genesis mission; and recommend appropriate actions to prevent a future similar mishap. The Genesis sample return capsule failed to deploy its parachutes, as it descended through Earth's atmosphere September 8.

The MIB will include experts from NASA, other government agencies and external consultants. The Board's investigation report is due to NASA Headquarters in mid-November. NASA will release the names of additional MIB members as soon as available. The Board's initial meeting is next week.

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