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    The Office of Safety and Mission Assurance (OSMA) assures the safety and enhances the success of all NASA activities. Take a look around our website to learn what's happening in NASA's Safety and Mission Assurance community, including updates on disciplines, programs, policies and personnel.

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What's Happening in the SMA Community?

OSIRIS-REx_1

OSIRIS REx Sample Return Doesn’t Pose a Risk to Earth’s Biosphere

September 08, 2023
2-minute read

When OSIRIS-REx returns a sample of the asteroid Bennu to Earth on September 24, 2023, it will kick off a carefully orchestrated retrieval process. One thing the retrieval team won’t need to worry about is protecting Earth and its inhabitants from the sample.

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ODQN New

August 2023 Issue of ODQN Now Available

September 06, 2023
1-minute read

The latest issue of Orbital Debris Quarterly News is now available. See the latest updates as of August 2023. 

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Yes If Coin

Yes, If Coins Awarded at Ames

September 01, 2023
3-minute read

NASA Chief of Safety and Mission Assurance Russ DeLoach recently presented two “Yes, If” coins to Ames Research Center personnel while visiting the center for the SMA Directors Meeting.

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Reynolds-with-DeLoach-Thumb

Reynolds Receives Yes, If Coin for Commitment to Customer Service

August 25, 2023
2-minute read

NASA Chief of Safety and Mission Assurance Russ DeLoach recently presented a “Yes, If” coin to Kaci Reynolds, associate director for NASA’s Independent Verification and Validation Program, for her attention to detail, proactive approach and commitment to customer service. 

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NASA Safety Reporting

NASA Safety Reporting

Learn more about reporting safety concerns at NASA.
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Yes, If Program

At NASA, safety is our first priority. When the possibility of something comes into question, our response should begin with, "Yes, if" instead of "No, because." Those who have exemplified this spirit of ingenuity, creativity and commitment to safety have received the "Yes, If" coin from the current chief of Safety and Mission Assurance. Recognize a NASA colleague who you believe should earn a "Yes, If" coin.

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Learn More About Yes, If Program

Featured Safety Message


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Lessons From Challenger

January 04, 2021

This Jan. 28, marks the 35th anniversary of the Challenger accident. The loss of the crew was a tragedy felt by their families, friends and coworkers at the agency, as well as people throughout the world.

The Challenger accident taught us tough lessons and brought forward what have become recognizable phrases: normalization of deviance, organizational silence and silent safety program.

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Office of Safety and Mission Assurance

What We Do

The Office of Safety and Mission Assurance (OSMA) assures the safety and enhances the success of all NASA activities through the development, implementation and oversight of agency-wide safety, reliability, maintainability and quality assurance policies and procedures. OSMA includes the Mission Support Division, Safety and Assurance Requirements Division, and NASA Safety Center, as well as the Independent Verification and Validation Facility.

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Policy Status Updates

Recently Published

Recently Published
Policy Title Effective Date    
NASA-STD-87xx  Wind Tunnel Model Systems Criteria Oct. 31, 2022 See NASA-STD-87xx    
 NPD 8700.1E Policy for Safety and Mission Success July 28, 2022 See NPD 8700.1E    
NASA-STD-8719.27 Planetary Protection Standard Aug. 30, 2022 See NASA-STD-8719.27    
 NPR 8715.6 NASA Procedural Requirements for Limiting Orbital Debris and Evaluating the Meteoroid and Orbital Debris Environments Aug. 30, 2022 See NPR 8715.6    
NASA-STD-8739.8 Software Assurance and Software Safety Sept. 8, 2022 See NASA-STD-8739.8    
NPR 8000.4  Agency Risk Management Procedural Requirement April 19, 2022 See NPR 8000.4  
NASA-STD-8719.17 NASA Requirements for Ground-Based Pressure Vessels and Pressurized Systems (PVS) April 26, 2023 See NASA-STD-8719.17    
NPR 8735.1 Exchange of Problem Data Using NASA Advisories and the Government-Industry Data Exchange Program (GIDEP)  April 14, 2023 See NPR 8735.1    
 NPR 7900.4 NASA Aircraft Operations Management April 5, 2023 See NPR 7900.4    
 NPR 8735.2 Hardware Quality Assurance Program Requirements for Programs and Projects April 13, 2023 See NPR 8735.2    
» More Policy Updates

Currently in Review

Currently in Review
Policy Title  
NPR 8705.2 Human-Rating
Requirements for Space		  
NASA-STD-8719.29 NASA Technical Requirements for Human-Rating  
» More Policy Updates

Upcoming Reviews

Upcoming Reviews To see that latest draft of a policy or participate in a review, please send us a request.
Policy Title  
NASA-STD-8719.24 Annex NASA Payload Safety Requirements: Requirements Table See NASA-STD-8719.24 Annex
NPR 8621.1 NASA Procedural Requirements for Mishap and Close Call Reporting, Investigating, and Recordkeeping See NPR 8621.1
NPR 8705.6
 Safety and Mission Assurance (SMA) Audits, Reviews, and Assessments  See NPR 8705.6
NASA-STD-8719.CAS  NASA Commercial Aviation Services (CAS) Standard  
NPR 8705.4 Risk Classification for NASA Payloads See NPR 8705.4
NPR 8715.6 NASA Procedural Requirements for Limiting Orbital Debris and Evaluating the Meteoroid and Orbital Debris Environments See NPR 8715.6
NASA-STD-8739.12 Metrology & Calibration See NASA-STD-8739.12
NASA-STD-8719.25  Range Flight Safety Requirements See NASA-STD-8719.25
NASA-STD-8729.1 NASA Reliability and Maintainability (R&M) Standard for Spaceflight and Support Systems See NASA-STD-8729.1
NASA-STD-8719.9  Lifting Standard See NASA-STD-8719.9
NPR 8715.3  General Safety Program Requirements  See NPR 8715.3
NPR 7900.3 Aircraft Operations Management   See NPR 7900.3
NASA-STD-8719.12 Safety Standard for Explosives, Propellants, and Pyrotechnics See NASA STD-8719.12
 NPR 8715.5  Range Flight Safety Program  See NPR 8715.5
NASA-STD 8739.11 EEE Parts Selection, Screening, Qualification & Derating
NASA-STD-8739.10 Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical (EEE) Parts Assurance Standard See NASA-STD-8739.10
NPR 8735.1 Exchange of Problem Data Using NASA Advisories and the Government-Industry Data Exchange Program (GIDEP) See NPR 8735.1
» More Policy Updates