NASA recently said it had a limited role in the submarine project Titan of OceanGate, which tragically imploded, killing five people while exploring the ruins of the Titanic. This statement comes after OceanGate CEO, Stockton Rushhad repeatedly underlined the involvement of the space agency, stating that NASA, together with Boeing and the University of Washington, had contributed to the design of the Titan, ensuring its safety.
NASA’s real involvement
During a public testimony before the US Coast GuardNASA’s materials engineer Justin Jackson clarified that despite a contract signed with OceanGate in 2020, plans to build the composite hull never came to fruition. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NASA had to limit its contribution to simply remote consulting on a model of the submarine, without ever being directly involved in construction.
Jackson also clarified that the collaboration with OceanGate stopped in 2021 due to disagreements over marketing. OceanGate had begun promoting the project as an initiative done “in collaboration with NASA experts,” a claim that NASA deemed misleading and too close to some kind of implicit approval.
Marketing and false claims
OceanGate used the alleged involvement of the NASA as a key element in reassuring the public about the safety of the Titan. In a 2022 interview with CBS, Stockton Rush said that, thanks to work with NASA and Boeing, the submarine’s “pressure car” was absolutely safe. However, the tragic implosion has called these claims into question.
Jackson he told investigators that NASA never approved or validated the project. The phrase used by OceanGate was too close to an endorsement that the agency could not allow. As a result, NASA disassociated itself, refusing to be linked to promoting the project.
The tragic epilogue of the Titan
Despite the optimistic statements of Rushthe implosion of the Titan proved that safety promises were unfounded. The incident raised questions not only about how OceanGate handled the project, but also about how the company used the names of prestigious entities such as NASA and Boeing to gain credibility.
NASA, together with Boeing, is distancing itself from responsibility related to the tragic Titan accident. Although closer collaboration was initially envisaged, the space agency’s contribution was minimal and limited to remote consultation. This case highlights the importance of avoiding misleading claims that could create a false perception of safety in high-risk projects.
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