AEROSPACE SAFETY ADVISORY PANEL Annual Report for 2020

1 2 3 5 4 6 7 AEROSPACE SAFETY ADVISORY PANEL Annual Report for 2020 NASA AEROSPACE SAFETY ADVISORY PANEL National Aeronautics and Space Administration Washington, DC 20546 Dr. Patricia Sanders, Chair January 1, 2021 The Honorable Jim Bridenstine Administrator National Aeronautics and Space Administration Washington, DC 20546 Dear Mr. Bridenstine: Pursuant to Section 106(b) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act 2005 (P.L. 109-155), the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) is pleased to submit the ASAP Annual Report for 2020 to the U.S. Congress and to the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Report is based on the Panel’s 2020 fact-finding; quarterly public meetings; direct observations of NASA operations and decision-making; discussions with NASA management, employees, and contractors; and the Panel members’ past experiences. There has been a significant amount of notable activity in 2020 in the Commercial Crew Program, ongoing operations of the International Space Station, and progress toward the execution of the Artemis missions, all undertaken in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic with which NASA has dealt commendably. The Panel will provide our brief assessment of those programs, but the ASAP has chosen to place greater emphasis in this year’s report on NASA’s future and its impact on the risks involved in human space exploration. NASA has been at the forefront of human space flight for decades, and much of that time it executed the programs, formulated the missions, defined the requirements, and performed management integration of all the elements composing the system. NASA personnel performed the engineering analyses. They led launch processing and mission operations. But the human space flight environment is rapidly changing. The commercial space industry is growing briskly, bringing innovations and economic benefits. Global interest in space is increasing and, with it, the expectation for more international cooperative efforts. These developments have tremendous upside potential—and are accompanied by equally tremendous challenges for managing the risk of human space exploration. Over the past several years NASA has been adjusting to a changing role and set of responsibilities as it shifts from principally executing its programs and missions to commercially acquiring significant key elements and services. The Agency has gradually and tactically adapted and succeeded in meeting emerging situations and challenges as they developed. However, the Panel firmly believes that it is now critical for NASA to take more strategic scrutiny of the role the Agency should undertake going forward and make some critical decisions, based on deliberate and thorough consideration, that are necessary because of their momentous consequences for the future of human space exploration, and in particular, for the management of the attendant risks. This report will provide the ASAP’s advice to the Agency with respect to the questions that NASA should ask itself to strategically and thoughtfully position itself and the nation for success and safe human exploration of space. In 2021 the Panel seeks to further explore the consequences of the Agency’s evolution, with a focus on the implications for safety and risk management. The ASAP made two formal recommendations this year, both of which addressed the Designation of a Lead Federal Agency for Civil Space Traffic Management, and this report will reemphasize the criticality of this issue. I submit the ASAP Annual Report for 2020 with respect and appreciation. Sincerely, Dr. Patricia Sanders Chair, Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel Enclosure NASA AEROSPACE SAFETY ADVISORY PANEL National Aeronautics and Space Administration Washington, DC 20546 Dr. Patricia Sanders, Chair January 1, 2021 The Honorable Michael R. Pence President of the Senate Washington, DC 20510 Dear Mr. President: Pursuant to Section 106(b) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act 2005 (P.L. 109-155), the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) is pleased to submit the ASAP Annual Report for 2020 to the U.S. Congress and to the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Report is based on the Panel’s 2020 fact-finding; quarterly public meetings; direct observations of NASA operations and decision-making; discussions with NASA management, employees, and contractors; and the Panel members’ past experiences. There has been a significant amount of notable activity in 2020 in the Commercial Crew Program, ongoing operations of the International Space Station, and progress toward the execution of the Artemis missions, all undertaken in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic with which NASA has dealt commendably. The Panel will provide our brief assessment of those programs, but the ASAP has chosen to place greater emphasis in this year’s report on NASA’s future and its impact on the risks involved in human space exploration. NASA has been at the forefront of human space flight for decades, and much of that time it executed the programs, formulated the missions, defined the requirements, and performed management integration of all the elements composing the system. NASA personnel performed the engineering analyses. They led launch processing and mission operations. But the human space flight environment is rapidly changing. The commercial space industry is growing briskly, bringing innovations and economic benefits. Global interest in space is increasing and, with it, the expectation for more international cooperative efforts. These developments have tremendous upside potential—and are accompanied by equally tremendous challenges for managing the risk of human space exploration. Over the past several years NASA has been adjusting to a changing role and set of responsibilities as it shifts from principally executing its programs and missions to commercially acquiring significant key elements and services. The Agency has gradually and tactically adapted and succeeded in meeting emerging situations and challenges as they developed. However, the Panel firmly believes that it is now critical for NASA to take more strategic scrutiny of the role the Agency should undertake going forward and make some critical decisions, based on deliberate and thorough consideration, that are necessary because of their momentous consequences for the future of human space exploration, and in particular, for the management of the attendant risks. This report will provide the ASAP’s advice to the Agency with respect to the questions that NASA should ask itself to strategically and thoughtfully position itself and the nation for success and safe human exploration of space. In 2021 the Panel seeks to further explore the consequences of the Agency’s evolution, with a focus on the implications for safety and risk management. The ASAP made two formal recommendations this year, both of which addressed the Designation of a Lead Federal Agency for Civil Space Traffic Management, and this report will reemphasize the criticality of this issue. I submit the ASAP Annual Report for 2020 with respect and appreciation. Sincerely, Dr. Patricia Sanders Chair, Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel Enclosure NASA AEROSPACE SAFETY ADVISORY PANEL National Aeronautics and Space Administration Washington, DC 20546 Dr. Patricia Sanders, Chair January 1, 2021 The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Speaker of the House of Representatives Washington, DC 20510 Dear Madam Speaker: Pursuant to Section 106(b) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act 2005 (P.L. 109-155), the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) is pleased to submit the ASAP Annual Report for 2020 to the U.S. Congress and to the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Report is based on the Panel’s 2020 fact-finding; quarterly public meetings; direct observations of NASA operations and decision-making; discussions with NASA management, employees, and contractors; and the Panel members’ past experiences. There has been a significant amount of notable activity in 2020 in the Commercial Crew Program, ongoing operations of the International Space Station, and progress toward the execution of the Artemis missions, all undertaken in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic with which NASA has dealt commendably. The Panel will provide our brief assessment of those programs, but the ASAP has chosen to place greater emphasis in this year’s report on NASA’s future and its impact on the risks involved in human space exploration. NASA has been at the forefront of human space flight for decades, and much of that time it executed the programs, formulated the missions, defined the requirements, and performed management integration of all the elements composing the system. NASA personnel performed the engineering analyses. They led launch processing and mission operations. But the human space flight environment is rapidly changing. The commercial space industry is growing briskly, bringing innovations and economic benefits. Global interest in space is increasing and, with it, the expectation for more international cooperative efforts. These developments have tremendous upside potential—and are accompanied by equally tremendous challenges for managing the risk of human space exploration. Over the past several years NASA has been adjusting to a changing role and set of responsibilities as it shifts from principally executing its programs and missions to

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