yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (07/06/88)
Jim Ball July 5, 1988
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
RELEASE: 88-89
AD HOC COMMITTEE COMPLETES REVIEW OF NASA SAFETY
An ad hoc committee, assembled to review safety risk
management in the National Space Transportation System program,
has completed its report, finding that there has been "a positive
change in attitudes" by NASA and its contractors towards safety.
"Roles and responsibilities have been clarified, safety risk
assessments have improved measurably, and the commitment to
safety over schedule is freely articulated," the report states.
"The new launch decision management system is thorough and
provides for a healthy redundancy of safety reviews and
oversights."
The six-member committee, composed of both government and
independent safety experts, found no significant system safety
issues that would adversely impact the STS-26 launch. Progress
on the part of NASA and its contractors in improving safety and
implementing earlier recommendations is detailed in the report.
The findings update an earlier report by the ad hoc
committee published in August 1987. Copies of the report are
available in the NASA Headquarters Newsroom, Room 6043, 400
Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C.
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