One Software Assurance Research Program (SARP) project, “Software Assurance Tasking Checklists for NASA-STD-8739.8,” intends to automate the identification of Software Assurance activities.

NASA-HDBK-2203B, NASA Software Engineering and Software Assurance Handbook was approved by the NASA chief engineer on April 20, 2020. This wiki-based NASA Technical Handbook provides users and practitioners with guidance material for implementing the requirements of NPR 7150.2, NASA Software Engineering Requirements and the implementation of the draft NASA Software Assurance and Software Safety requirements in NASA-STD-8739.8A, Software Assurance and Software Safety Standard.

Fluke Calibration recently announced a new educational center for free online training aimed at metrologists and calibration professionals. 

The Office of Safety and Mission Assurance recently updated NPR 8715.7, Payload Safety Program — formerly Expendable Launch Vehicle (ELV) Payload Safety Program  — to bring the document into commonality with guidelines for NASA Procedural Requirements (NPR) structure and format and to broaden its applicability to any and all payloads.

The April 2020 issue of Orbital Debris Quarterly News is now available. This issue includes the articles, "Three Recent Breakup Events," "The New NASA Orbital Debris Engineering Model 3.1," and "Composite Material Char Rate and Strength Retention Study at University of Texas at Austin," among other pieces.

The NASA Software Assurance Research Program is sponsoring five research projects aimed to benefit Software Assurance processes across the agency. The research program is aligned to support goals to improve how NASA performs Software Assurance activities.

The U.K.’s National Measurement Institute — National Physics Lab (NPL) — recently made its full suite of e-Learning training courses available for free through June 30, 2020. According to the NPL website, this was in acknowledgement that “Operating remotely and working from home has become a new reality for many and employers, employees and students alike are all looking for ways to adapt.”

The International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) — the industry standards organization that manages coordination and publication of AS9100, Quality Management Systems – Requirements for Aviation, Space and Defense Organizations  — recently released guidance and relief for its normal certification policies and timing requirements. The IAQG made the announcement due to travel restrictions and work stoppages among AS9100-certified suppliers due to COVID-19.

The NASA Human Factors Task Force received the 2019 Agency Honor Awards Group Achievement Award for its outstanding leadership in improving the use of Human Factors processes and techniques to ensure the agency continues to carry out its mission safely.

NASA recognized the NASA Safety Culture Working Group’s (SCWG) outstanding contributions to the agency’s mission by presenting its members with the 2019 Agency Honor Awards Group Achievement Award.