Abstract :
NASA´s approach to risk management, which until the Challenger accident focused on design-oriented techniques rather than probabilistic risk analysis (PRA), is discussed. Political factors that have played a large role in shaping NASA´s decisions, along with its traditional-engineering-based corporate culture, are examined. NASA´s present experiments with PRA, which are hampered by lack of statistical data, are described. Implications for the future Space Station are also considered.<>
Keywords :
reliability; safety; space vehicles; statistical analysis; Challenger accident; PRA; Space Shuttle; probabilistic risk analysis; reliability; risk management; safety; space vehicles; subjective engineering; Computer aided software engineering; Data engineering; Design engineering; Engineering management; NASA; Quality management; Reliability engineering; Risk analysis; Risk management; Space shuttles;
