Description of Driving Event:
Inadequate Funding of Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Research and Development
Lesson(s) Learned:
The funding of the EVA R&T program is not adequate to provide the maximum safety benefit in terms of new equipment and procedures that lower the risk of extravehicular activities.
Recommendation(s):
Fund a robust EVA R&T program.
Evidence of Recurrence Control Effectiveness:
NASA concurs with the ASAP recommendation. The EVA Project Office maintains the EVA technology roadmap defining critical and pacing technologies for future advancements. Each year, in the budget process, the EVA Project Office makes recommendations to the benefiting programs when it is prudent to pursue research and technology. In FY 1999, due to hardware obsolescence, the Space Shuttle Program approved the redesign of the EMU caution and warning system. Additionally, in FY 2000, the EVA Project Office is assessing the need to redesign the EMU displays and control module, also for hardware obsolescence reasons. Long-term cost savings (through FY 2020) may be possible with new spacesuit elements, and perhaps even a new spacesuit, rather than maintaining the current design.
Documents Related to Lesson:
N/A
Mission Directorate(s):
- Space Operations
- Exploration Systems
Additional Key Phrase(s):
- Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel
- Extra-Vehicular Activity
- Flight Equipment
- Logistics
- Medical
- Policy & Planning
- Research & Development
- Safety & Mission Assurance
Additional Info:
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