The February 2018 edition of Orbital Debris Quarterly News (ODQN) is now available and includes the article "Two Anomalous Events in GEO," republished here.

This issue also includes articles on space debris sensor launch updates, SEM analysis results from post-flight inspection of the PMA-2 cover, a review of the CubeSat study project and a photo feature documenting the Space Debris Sensor installation.

Researchers wrapped up nine NASA Software Assurance Research Program-sponsored research projects aimed to benefit Software Assurance processes across the agency and presented the results to the Software Assurance Working Group (SAWG). After select proposed initiatives were chosen in 2016, researchers were given a year to develop, analyze, test, record findings and present results to the SAWG. Two of the projects were multi-year studies that continued from the prior year.

It is essential that NASA engineers use proper precautions when working with Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) sensitive hardware, as poor ESD control practices could be the difference between success and failure for a mission. ESD control is a fundamental component of NASA’s workmanship policy, which is why NASA requires operators to verify ESD personnel grounding systems (e.g. wrist or heel straps that are continuously connected to common point ground) are properly functioning before they enter an ESD Protected Area (EPA) or come within one meter of an ESD sensitive item. 

A new Radiation Hardness Assurance (RHA) methodology could lead to shorter, but more frequent missions at NASA. Mike Xapsos, a research physicist in the Radiation Effects and Analysis Group and member of the NASA Electronic Parts and Packaging Program (NEPP) at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, has developed an improved method for evaluating the performance of a microelectronic device in space, which closes the gap between design specifications and on-orbit performance.

“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. 

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

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. 

The August 2017 edition of the Orbital Debris Quarterly News (ODQN) is now available. The issue includes articles on the discovery of the earliest Delta rocket body fragmentation, space debris sensor updates, benefits of a high Low-Earth Orbit in-situ measurement mission, NASA requirements for debris assessment software reentry risk analysis and conference reports.

The latest EEE Parts Bulletin is the second of two special editions on Electrostatic Discharge.

The May issue of Orbital Debris Quarterly News (ODQN) includes articles on policy updates, personnel, project details and more.