The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP), an advisory committee that
reports to NASA and Congress, has released its 2013 annual report examining
NASA's safety performance over the past year and highlighting issues and
concerns to agency and government officials.
The report released Wednesday is based on the panel's 2013 fact-finding and
quarterly public meetings; "insight" visits and meetings; direct observations of
NASA operations and decision-making processes; discussions with NASA management,
employees, and contractors; and the panel members' own experience.
"This year's annual report centers on risk, risk management, accountability,
and transparency," said panel chairman Joseph W. Dyer. "The panel notes that in
pursuit of a U.S. capability to launch humans into space, and in light of
constrained budgets, an argument to accept additional risk could be rationally
put forward. The ASAP underscores the need to speak transparently about risk and
reward. Acceptable risk needs to be formally accepted, made accountable, and
explained to the NASA team, Congress, and the public."
The 2013 report highlights:
-- Commercial Crew Program
-- Exploration Systems Development
--
Funding Uncertainty
-- International Space Station (ISS)
-- Technical
Authority
-- Risk Management
The panel reported significant progress has been made in improving safety
related to the International Space Station by implementing measures to mitigate
the risk of damage to the station from micrometeoroid and orbital debris, as
well as planning for the end-of-life and deorbit of the station.
The panel was most pleased to report NASA has clearly articulated changes to
the technical authority process, in which technical experts apply their specific
expertise to resolve questions and concerns, and is in the process of
implementing them. The panel recommended NASA fully adopt these changes without
delay.
Congress established the panel in 1968 to provide advice and make
recommendations to the NASA administrator on safety matters after the Apollo 1
fire that claimed the lives of three American astronauts in 1967.
For more information about the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel and to view
the 2013 report, visit:
No comments:
Post a Comment