“At NASA, we should allow computers to do what computers are good at, so people can do what people are good at.”

This perspective, explained by MBSE Pathfinder Study Co-Lead Jessica Knizhnik, is the main motive behind a Pathfinder study, sponsored by the NASA Engineering and Safety Center, to investigate how Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and Model-Based Engineering (MBE) techniques can be applied by NASA projects. 

When a mishap or close call occurs, there’s always a human component to consider. It’s not about blame, but rather understanding the circumstances around the incident and how they can be avoided in the future to prevent recurrence.

James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Program Manager Raynor Taylor received a NASA Yes-If Challenge Coin for raising a safety concern while visiting a NASA center. Since he brought up the concern, project personnel have created a clear path forward to practice better safety measures.

NPR 8705.2, Human Rating Requirements for Space Systems was updated to reflect current agency policies. Revision C included changes to improve accountability throughout the Human-Rating certification process, clarification of the scope of human-systems integration analyses, clarifications regarding the failure tolerance requirement and more explicit involvement of the crew safety representatives.

Check out the November 2017 issue of Orbital Debris Quarterly News (ODQN).

The Meteoroid Environment Office (MEO) selected three new sites, all in Florida, to host All Sky Fireball Network cameras — Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the Robinson Observatory at the University of Central Florida and the Beach Corrosion Facility at NASA Kennedy Space Center. Installation occurred in October.

The NASA Pressure Vessels and Systems Working Group developed updates to NASA-STD-8719.17, Requirements for Ground-Based Pressure Vessels and Pressurized Systems (PVS). With thousands of ground-based pressure systems across the agency storing substantial amounts of energy, it’s essential requirements for their safe and reliable operation remain current. 

The most recent EEE Parts Bulletin provides information on activities related to Electrical, Electronic and Electromechanical (EEE) parts that occurred at NASA between June and July 2017. 

Multi-disciplinary physics-of-failure testing and simulations conducted on Printed Circuit Boards at Goddard Space Flight Center recently resulted in an industry standard update, which will lead to cost savings not only for NASA but for the electronics industry in general.