International Space Station (ISS): Planning for the Extension of Utilization Through 2020, including Spare Parts, Safety, and Reliability - GAO Study of NASA Plans

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Physics, Astrophysics & Space Science
Cover of the book International Space Station (ISS): Planning for the Extension of Utilization Through 2020, including Spare Parts, Safety, and Reliability - GAO Study of NASA Plans by Progressive Management, Progressive Management
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Progressive Management ISBN: 9781466070844
Publisher: Progressive Management Publication: March 2, 2012
Imprint: Smashwords Edition Language: English
Author: Progressive Management
ISBN: 9781466070844
Publisher: Progressive Management
Publication: March 2, 2012
Imprint: Smashwords Edition
Language: English

In 2010 the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was authorized to extend the life of the International Space Station (ISS) from 2015 through at least September 30, 2020. Gauging the feasibility of doing so is quite complex. Among the factors to be assessed are the reliability of key components, NASA's ability to deliver spares to the ISS, the projected life of structures that cannot be replaced, and the health of systems that affect safety. While some empirical data exist, the ISS is a unique facility in space and assessing its extended life requires the use of sophisticated analytical techniques and judgments. GAO provided a preliminary report on NASA's use of such techniques in April 2011. For this review, GAO assessed the extent to which NASA has ensured essential spare parts are available and ISS structures and hardware are sound for continued ISS utilization through 2020. GAO interviewed NASA officials and outside experts; assessed the methodology underlying NASA's findings; conducted a limited test of data supporting NASA's assessments; and analyzed documentation such as ongoing assessments, schedules and other relevant efforts.

What GAO Found - NASA's approach to determining, obtaining, and delivering necessary spare parts to the ISS is reasonable to ensure continued utilization of the station through 2020. The statistical process and methodology being used to determine the expected lifetimes of replacement units is a sound and commonly accepted approach within the risk assessment community that considers both manufacturers' predictions and the systems' actual performance. To date NASA has given equal weight to manufacturers' predictions and actual performance, and currently has no plans to reassess this decision. However, as time goes on, the resulting estimates could prove to be overly conservative, given that NASA has found failure rates for replacement units to be lower than manufacturers' predictions. Therefore, continuing to weigh the manufacturers' predictions equally with actual performance could lead NASA to purchase an excess of spares. NASA also has a reasonable process for establishing performance goals for various functions necessary for utilization and determining whether available spares are sufficient to meet goals through 2020, but the rationale supporting these decisions has not been systematically documented.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In 2010 the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was authorized to extend the life of the International Space Station (ISS) from 2015 through at least September 30, 2020. Gauging the feasibility of doing so is quite complex. Among the factors to be assessed are the reliability of key components, NASA's ability to deliver spares to the ISS, the projected life of structures that cannot be replaced, and the health of systems that affect safety. While some empirical data exist, the ISS is a unique facility in space and assessing its extended life requires the use of sophisticated analytical techniques and judgments. GAO provided a preliminary report on NASA's use of such techniques in April 2011. For this review, GAO assessed the extent to which NASA has ensured essential spare parts are available and ISS structures and hardware are sound for continued ISS utilization through 2020. GAO interviewed NASA officials and outside experts; assessed the methodology underlying NASA's findings; conducted a limited test of data supporting NASA's assessments; and analyzed documentation such as ongoing assessments, schedules and other relevant efforts.

What GAO Found - NASA's approach to determining, obtaining, and delivering necessary spare parts to the ISS is reasonable to ensure continued utilization of the station through 2020. The statistical process and methodology being used to determine the expected lifetimes of replacement units is a sound and commonly accepted approach within the risk assessment community that considers both manufacturers' predictions and the systems' actual performance. To date NASA has given equal weight to manufacturers' predictions and actual performance, and currently has no plans to reassess this decision. However, as time goes on, the resulting estimates could prove to be overly conservative, given that NASA has found failure rates for replacement units to be lower than manufacturers' predictions. Therefore, continuing to weigh the manufacturers' predictions equally with actual performance could lead NASA to purchase an excess of spares. NASA also has a reasonable process for establishing performance goals for various functions necessary for utilization and determining whether available spares are sufficient to meet goals through 2020, but the rationale supporting these decisions has not been systematically documented.

More books from Progressive Management

Cover of the book Myths and Crises: American Masculinity in 1980s Vietnam War Films - Analysis of Five Films (Platoon, Full Metal Jacket, Hamburger Hill, Casualties of War, and Born on the Fourth of July) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Mexico in Perspective - Orientation Guide and Spanish (Mexican) Cultural Orientation: Geography, History, Economy, Security, Guadalajara, Ciudad Juarez, Indios, Indigenismo, Mestizos, Mestizaje by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 2011 Official Dictionary of Nuclear, Radiation, and Radiological Terms and Acronyms: Nuclear Power Plants, Atomic Weapons, Military Stockpile, Radiation Medicine by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Coping With a Rising Power: Vietnam's Hedging Strategy Toward China - Reaction to Chinese South China Sea Aggression, Vietnam Military Modernization and Security Cooperation, Multilateral Enmeshment by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Setup: What the Air Force Did in Vietnam and Why - Thoughts of Atomic Weapons, Bombing and Diplomacy, Linebacker, Laos and Cambodia, Mayaguez by Progressive Management
Cover of the book U.S. Marines History: The 1st Marine Division and Its Regiments, 5th Marines, 7th Marines, 11th Marines, Guadalcanal, Lineage, Honors and Commanding Officers by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 2016 President Barack Obama's Speech at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial in Japan About the World War II Atomic Bombing of August 1945: Honoring the Victims of the First Nuclear Weapon by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Designing the Bayous: The Control of Water in the Atchafalaya Basin - 1800-1995, Mississippi River Flood Control, Battle Over Floodways, Environmental Activists, Early Efforts, Louisiana Style by Progressive Management
Cover of the book FEMA Document Series: Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Public Law 93-288 (Stafford Act) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Chain of Environmental Command: How a Club of Billionaires and Their Foundations Control the Environmental Movement and Obama's EPA: Anti-Fracking, Global Warming and Climate Change by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Apollo and America's Moon Landing Program: Lunar Module (LM) Reference by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Manuals: Army Handbook for Self-Development - Strengths, Weaknesses, Roles, Responsibilities, Learning and Motivation, Roadblocks, Milestones (Professional Format Series) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Documents: Space Air Force Policy Directives and Instructions - Space Launch Operations, Space Test Program (STP), Launch Vehicle Return to Flight by Progressive Management
Cover of the book NASA Human Spaceflight Astronaut Health Research for Exploration and Manned Mars Missions, Risk Report WSN-07, Human Computer Interaction, Task Design, Injury from Dynamic Loads, Food System Illness by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 20th Century Spy in the Sky Satellites: Secrets of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Volume 6 - CORONA, America's First Satellite Program - CIA and NRO Histories of Pioneering Spy Satellites by Progressive Management
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy