 As a result of the in @-@ flight failure of the Gemini 8 mission on March 17 , 1966 , NASA Deputy Administrator Robert Seamans wrote and implemented Management Instruction <unk> @.@ 1 on April 14 , 1966 , defining Mission Failure Investigation Policy And Procedures . This modified NASA 's existing accident procedures , based on military aircraft accident investigation , by giving the Deputy Administrator the option of performing independent investigations of major failures , beyond those for which the various Program Office officials were normally responsible . It declared , " It is NASA policy to investigate and document the causes of all major mission failures which occur in the conduct of its space and aeronautical activities and to take appropriate corrective actions as a result of the findings and recommendations . " 
