Guidance on the Implementation of an Objectives-Driven, Risk-Informed, and Case-Assured Framework for Safety and Mission Success

This NASA guidance document defines an “S&MS assurance framework” for assuring acceptable levels of safety and mission success (S&MS) risk for space flight programs and projects that is consistent with NASA policy directive NPD 8700.1, NASA Policy for Safety and Mission Success, and NPR 8000.4, Agency Risk Management Procedural Requirements. The framework requires the development of program-specific and project-specific S&MS risk postures defining acceptable levels of S&MS risk. It defines a process for incorporating adherence to an S&MS risk posture into S&MS planning throughout the program or project life cycle. It requires the development of an S&MS assurance case that evolves over the program or project life cycle and argues, supported by evidence, that the S&MS risk posture is being adhered to.

This guidance document can be used as a template for incorporating objectives-driven, risk-informed, and case-assured S&MS into the NASA directives structure, e.g., via the development of a NASA Procedural Requirements (NPR) document that directly implements NPD 8700.1 and is inclusive of both crewed and robotic missions.

This guidance document is consistent with the life-cycle management model of NPR 7120.5, NASA Space Flight Program and Project Management Requirements, leveraging the success criteria and life-cycle reviews (LCRs) defined therein to provide ongoing S&MS assurance throughout the duration of the program or project.

This guidance document has been developed to be applicable to NASA space flight programs and projects but can be adapted to non-NASA space flight contexts. It is meant to establish and promote a high level of managerial and technical excellence with respect to S&MS assurance throughout NASA and the space flight industry generally. It is consistent with Space Policy Directive-2, Streamlining Regulations on Commercial Use of Space, which promotes replacing prescriptive requirements in the commercial space flight launch and re-entry licensing process with performance-based criteria.

This guidance document supports NASA’s implementation of the philosophy of risk leadership articulated in NPD 1000.0, NASA Governance and Strategic Management Handbook. It is expected to facilitate NASA’s evolution away from an approach to acceptable S&MS risk based substantially on compliance with prescribed S&MS-related technical and process requirements, to an objectives-driven, risk-informed, and case-assured approach that allows for flexibility in requirements definition, accommodates diversity in design, management, and acquisition strategy, and fosters innovation in the means by which NASA and its partners safely achieve their space flight goals and objectives.