Testing Flight Hardware

Safety Message

August 03, 2015

On May 7, 2007, the composite reflector for the Aquarius spacecraft underwent acoustic testing at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Environmental Test Chamber. The reflector was damaged by an anomalous test procedure stemming from a deviation from the normal test procedure. Additionally, the test control system software was not up-to-date, and there was no acoustic subject matter expert present during the test. Although Aquarius launched and successfully completed its mission, the test deviation and lack of diligence resulted in a Class A Mishap.

Due diligence is necessary when engineering, operating and maintaining state-of-the-art flight hardware. We test as much as possible in order to assure high rates of success across all of our programs and projects. Testing itself may be viewed as a measure of diligence — perhaps even a luxury during periods of low funding. However, it is necessary that we are thorough and conscientious in our testing procedures as well.

More Videos

Featured Video

Feature Videos

Learn about the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance, its disciplines and programs, and much more in these feature videos.

Safety Message

Safety Messages

Guest speakers deliver the monthly Safety Messages in these live recordings.

Knowledge Bytes

Knowledge Bytes

These short videos provide expert insight on various safety and mission assurance topics.

Policy Bytes

Policy Bytes

Policy owners explain recent changes to policies and standards in these short videos.

Event Videos

Event Videos

Video captures of live events on Safety and Mission Assurance topics.

Testing Flight Hardware

Aug 28, 2015, 13:38 PM
Topic:
Safety Message
Vimeo video i ds:
136636361
Is public:
Yes
Date:
Aug 3, 2015, 04:00 AM

On May 7, 2007, the composite reflector for the Aquarius spacecraft underwent acoustic testing at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Environmental Test Chamber. The reflector was damaged by an anomalous test procedure stemming from a deviation from the normal test procedure. Additionally, the test control system software was not up-to-date, and there was no acoustic subject matter expert present during the test. Although Aquarius launched and successfully completed its mission, the test deviation and lack of diligence resulted in a Class A Mishap.

Due diligence is necessary when engineering, operating and maintaining state-of-the-art flight hardware. We test as much as possible in order to assure high rates of success across all of our programs and projects. Testing itself may be viewed as a measure of diligence — perhaps even a luxury during periods of low funding. However, it is necessary that we are thorough and conscientious in our testing procedures as well.

Video classification:
  • Video Homepage
  • Safety Messages

Testing Flight Hardware

Aug 28, 2015, 13:38 PM
Topic:
Safety Message
Vimeo video i ds:
136636361
Is public:
Yes
Date:
Aug 3, 2015, 04:00 AM

On May 7, 2007, the composite reflector for the Aquarius spacecraft underwent acoustic testing at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Environmental Test Chamber. The reflector was damaged by an anomalous test procedure stemming from a deviation from the normal test procedure. Additionally, the test control system software was not up-to-date, and there was no acoustic subject matter expert present during the test. Although Aquarius launched and successfully completed its mission, the test deviation and lack of diligence resulted in a Class A Mishap.

Due diligence is necessary when engineering, operating and maintaining state-of-the-art flight hardware. We test as much as possible in order to assure high rates of success across all of our programs and projects. Testing itself may be viewed as a measure of diligence — perhaps even a luxury during periods of low funding. However, it is necessary that we are thorough and conscientious in our testing procedures as well.

Video classification:
  • Video Homepage
  • Safety Messages

Testing Flight Hardware

Aug 28, 2015, 13:38 PM
Topic:
Safety Message
Vimeo video i ds:
136636361
Is public:
Yes
Date:
Aug 3, 2015, 04:00 AM

On May 7, 2007, the composite reflector for the Aquarius spacecraft underwent acoustic testing at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Environmental Test Chamber. The reflector was damaged by an anomalous test procedure stemming from a deviation from the normal test procedure. Additionally, the test control system software was not up-to-date, and there was no acoustic subject matter expert present during the test. Although Aquarius launched and successfully completed its mission, the test deviation and lack of diligence resulted in a Class A Mishap.

Due diligence is necessary when engineering, operating and maintaining state-of-the-art flight hardware. We test as much as possible in order to assure high rates of success across all of our programs and projects. Testing itself may be viewed as a measure of diligence — perhaps even a luxury during periods of low funding. However, it is necessary that we are thorough and conscientious in our testing procedures as well.

Video classification:
  • Video Homepage
  • Safety Messages

Testing Flight Hardware

Aug 28, 2015, 13:38 PM
Topic:
Safety Message
Vimeo video i ds:
136636361
Is public:
Yes
Date:
Aug 3, 2015, 04:00 AM

On May 7, 2007, the composite reflector for the Aquarius spacecraft underwent acoustic testing at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Environmental Test Chamber. The reflector was damaged by an anomalous test procedure stemming from a deviation from the normal test procedure. Additionally, the test control system software was not up-to-date, and there was no acoustic subject matter expert present during the test. Although Aquarius launched and successfully completed its mission, the test deviation and lack of diligence resulted in a Class A Mishap.

Due diligence is necessary when engineering, operating and maintaining state-of-the-art flight hardware. We test as much as possible in order to assure high rates of success across all of our programs and projects. Testing itself may be viewed as a measure of diligence — perhaps even a luxury during periods of low funding. However, it is necessary that we are thorough and conscientious in our testing procedures as well.

Video classification:
  • Video Homepage
  • Safety Messages

Testing Flight Hardware

Aug 28, 2015, 13:38 PM
Topic:
Safety Message
Vimeo video i ds:
136636361
Is public:
Yes
Date:
Aug 3, 2015, 04:00 AM

On May 7, 2007, the composite reflector for the Aquarius spacecraft underwent acoustic testing at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Environmental Test Chamber. The reflector was damaged by an anomalous test procedure stemming from a deviation from the normal test procedure. Additionally, the test control system software was not up-to-date, and there was no acoustic subject matter expert present during the test. Although Aquarius launched and successfully completed its mission, the test deviation and lack of diligence resulted in a Class A Mishap.

Due diligence is necessary when engineering, operating and maintaining state-of-the-art flight hardware. We test as much as possible in order to assure high rates of success across all of our programs and projects. Testing itself may be viewed as a measure of diligence — perhaps even a luxury during periods of low funding. However, it is necessary that we are thorough and conscientious in our testing procedures as well.

Video classification:
  • Video Homepage
  • Safety Messages