NASA’s “Fragology Files” – Space Object Recovery and Analysis Records

National Aeronautics and Space Administration's "Fragology Files" – Space Object Recovery and Analysis Records. Released October 13, 2021, through The Black Vault. The canonical PDF is available at documents2.theblackvault.com/documents/nasa/21-HQ-F-00500.pdf. This document is a response to a Freedom of Information Act request submitted by John Greenewald, Jr. on May 7, 2021, and received by NASA on June 4, 2021. The request sought records related to the case of Leslie KEAN v. NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION, Defendant, No. CIV.A.03 2509 EGS. The request was assigned tracking number 21-HQ-F-00500, and NASA conducted searches in the Office of General Counsel and the FOIA Office. Due to the destruction of relevant FOIA case files connected to the lawsuit, NASA was only able to locate one file, which included records released to the subject FOIA litigant's attorney and emails related to the FOIA office's searches. A search in the Office of General Counsel located records responsive to the request. After reviewing the records under the FOIA, NASA determined that 207 pages were released in full, 7 pages were released in part, 31 pages were withheld in full, and 13 pages were referred to another entity. NASA invoked FOIA exemptions 5 and 6 to withhold certain information. Exemption 5 protects inter-agency or intra-agency memorandums or letters that would not be available by law to a party other than an agency in litigation with the agency. NASA invoked this exemption to withhold information related to the attorney work-product privilege and the deliberative process privilege. Exemption 6 allows withholding of personnel and medical files and similar files that would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. NASA invoked this exemption to protect the identities of departed/retired employees and third parties. NASA referred 13 pages to the Civil Division of the Department of Justice for processing under the FOIA. The agency also provided information on how to appeal the decision and recover fees. This letter is a response to a Freedom of Information Act request, dated May 7, 2021, and received by NASA on June 4, 2021. We have conducted searches in the Office of General Counsel and the FOIA Office. Due to the destruction of relevant FOIA case files connected to the lawsuit, we were only able to locate one file, which included records released to the subject FOIA litigant's attorney and emails related to the FOIA office's searches. A search in the Office of General Counsel located records responsive to the request. After reviewing the records under the FOIA, we determined that 207 pages were released in full, 7 pages were released in part, 31 pages were withheld in full, and 13 pages were referred to another entity. We invoked FOIA exemptions 5 and 6 to withhold certain information. Exemption 5 protects inter-agency or intra-agency memorandums or letters that would not be available by law to a party other than an agency in litigation with the agency. We invoked this exemption to withhold information related to the attorney work-product privilege and the deliberative process privilege. Exemption 6 allows withholding of personnel and medical files and similar files that would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. We invoked this exemption to protect the identities of departed/retired employees and third parties. This is what the public record looks like at its most ordinary. For more information, visit storyflo.com. The canonical PDF is available at documents2.theblackvault.com/documents/nasa/21-HQ-F-00500.pdf.