A federal criminal probe is looking into allegations of misconduct by a former NASA official. Prosecutors are investigating if the official illegally disclosed information to Boeing about how to compete to build NASA’s new human lunar lander.

Doug Loverro left NASA just a week before two of the agency’s astronauts were set to launch on a historic mission with SpaceX to the International Space Station. At the time, he said that he had taken a’risk’ early in the year.

Nasa submitted a bid for a new landing system for the agency’s Artemis program. Aerospace heavyweight Boeing reportedly submitted the bid. Investigators are looking at whether Loverro gave crucial information about the procurement.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration formally determined the bid changes came too late to be considered. Three other companies won contracts in April totaling nearly $ 1 billion.

The investigation is still in its early stages and may not result in criminal charges. If the allegations turn out to be true, it’s possible that Loverro may have violated the procurement integrity act.

Nasa awarded final contracts to SpaceX, Blue origin, and Dynetics. Nasa has long received major spaceflight hardware contracts for NASA.

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