Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel

Author : National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781520369587
Total Pages : 39 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (695 download)

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Download or read book 2016 NASA Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) Annual Report: International Space Station (ISS), Commercial Crew Program, Exploration, Orion, SLS Rocket, Aeronautics and Air Operations written by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and published by . This book was released on 2017-01-13 with total page 39 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Released in January 2017, this is the eagerly awaited annual report for 2016 of the NASA Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP). NASA has made great progress over the past year in evolving a plan for deep space exploration, maturing the elements of the Exploration Systems Development programs, moving toward achieving a crew transportation capability, sustaining operations of the International Space Station, initiating the New Aviation Horizons, and focusing on enterprise protection. The Agency has the realization of several key milestones in its near future. At this critical time, with designs maturing, hardware being produced, and testing intensifying, it is important to maintain a focus on safety, risk reduction, and mission assurance. Challenges and difficult decisions will need to be faced with clarity, transparency, and thoroughness. Inevitably, there will be risks that must be accepted, but that should occur only after thoughtful deliberation of alternatives, understanding the benefits of acceptance, and careful documentation of the decision including the process and rationale for arriving at it.The ASAP reiterates the need for consistent program goals, funding, and schedules, also known as "constancy of purpose." Human space flight and exploration are inherently challenging and risky and require far-reaching, long-term national commitment to capitalize on painstakingly achieved knowledge and to realize the results of resource investments. The lack of consistent commitment negatively impacts cost, schedule, performance, workforce morale, process discipline, and -- most importantly -- safety.The impact on NASA programs from continuing employment of Continuing Resolutions (CRs) is of concern to the ASAP. The uncertainty of an assured and exact budget for a long-duration, technically challenging program and the partial release of funds as the CR unfolds adds, at best, complexity to managing programs and, importantly to the ASAP, can distract from maintaining the required focus on safety.The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) was established by Congress in 1968 to provide advice and make recommendations to the NASA Administrator on safety matters. The Panel holds quarterly fact-finding and public meetings and makes "insight" visits to NASA Field Centers or other related sites. It reviews safety studies and operations plans and advises the NASA Administrator and Congress on hazards related to proposed or existing facilities and operations, safety standards and reporting, safety and mission assurance aspects regarding ongoing or proposed programs, and NASA management and culture issues related to safety. Although the Panel may perform other duties and tasks as requested by either the NASA Administrator or Congress, the ASAP members normally do not engage in specialized studies or detailed technical analyses.