Description of Driving Event:
Lack of NASA Range Safety Authority for X-33 and X-34 Programs
Lesson(s) Learned:
Because X-33 and X-34 flight range safety is the responsibility of another agency, NASA may have a tendency to pay less attention to that aspect of the programs.
Recommendation(s):
Because X-33 and X-34 flight range safety is the responsibility of another agency, NASA may have a tendency to pay less attention to that aspect of the programs.
Evidence of Recurrence Control Effectiveness:
The X-33 flight test profiles have met the long established requirements for flight safety for all military Ranges. Additionally, the flight test program has undergone scrutiny from all potentially impacted organizations, both private and government, through the public process for an Environment Impact Statement (EIS). All overflight routes, trajectories, and landing sites were included in the EIS analyses. The X-33 filed its Record of Decision on November 4, 1997. Public law and Department of Defense regulations place Range safety responsibility in the hands of the Range Commander not NASA. The NASA X-33 Program Office is satisfying every Air Force Range requirement and risk analysis. NASA, as the user, is supporting the Range and is applying expertise from both Dryden Flight Research Center and Marshall Space Flight Center in every topic of flight and ground safety.
Documents Related to Lesson:
N/A
Mission Directorate(s):
- Exploration Systems
- Aeronautics Research
Additional Key Phrase(s):
- Administration/Organization
- Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel
- Flight Operations
- Launch Process
- Policy & Planning
- Range Operations
- Spacecraft
Additional Info:
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