NASA Lessons Learned: ISS Program/Shuttle-MIR/Lessons Learned

PLLS Database Entry: 1055

Lesson Info

• Lesson Number: 1055
• Lesson Date: 01-feb-1998
• Submitting Organization: HQ
• Submitted by: David M. Lengyel

Subject/Title/Topic(s):

International Space Station (ISS) Program/Shuttle-MIR/Lessons Learned

Description of Driving Event:

Shuttle-MIR Lessons Learned Analysis and Application

Lesson(s) Learned:

The ISS Phase I Shuttle-MIR program has reaffirmed what was learned on Skylab: that a manned space station can be surprisingly resilient in emergency situations. Much has been learned from the operations on MIR to date and much more may be learned from continued analysis of joint operations on MIR.

Recommendation(s):

The ISS team should continue to examine the Shuttle-MIR program carefully for examples from which ISS operations can benefit and to provide policies and procedures to implement effective action should similar events occur on the ISS. The effort should be expanded beyond MIR to focus as well on possible weaknesses in the ISS design and operations. ISS should assemble a special team including, persons with system-level perspectives as well as with design, operations, and human factors experience, to address these issues.

Evidence of Recurrence Control Effectiveness:

The ISS Program (ISSP) has benefited greatly from the Phase I Program experiences in the areas of operational feasibility and validation, procedures development and logistics manifesting, and in some cases, hardware modifications.
A more rigorous process for evaluating Shuttle/MIR lessons learned has been implemented and will assure that ISS realizes maximum benefit from Shuttle/MIR lessons learned. Phase I management screens and prioritizes lessons learned from each Shuttle/MIR flight increment to document significant and applicable lessons to ISS. These lessons are thoroughly reviewed by ISS Lessons Learned Screening Panel. For each lesson, actionee(s) are assigned to analyze ISS applicability and possible implementation or rationale for nonimplementation. The Lessons Learned Screening Panel and ISSP management will assure that the proposed implementation is appropriate. This screening process includes representatives from numerous organizations to ensure that all these issues are adequately addressed. This same process is used to incorporate lessons learned which are discovered within the ISS Program as well. (Note: Process is depicted in the accompanying figure.)

o Identify Significant Lessons from Phase I

• Each Phase I working group to identify key lessons
• Eliminate duplication and focus on high impact lessons

o Front End Analysis

• Determine root causes and add appropriate level of detail

o Screen Lessons

• ISS Lessons Learned Screening Panel has been established to prioritize and categorize lessons
• Determine responsible person/organization to respond

o Document and Track

• Enter lessons into database and track disposition

o Decompose, Analyze, and Disposition Lessons

• Systems Engineering used to determine applicability and impacts
• Disposition: implement, partially implement, or no practical implementation

Another specific example of Phase I lessons learned implementation: Unplanned events on MIR resulted in the requirement to provide late stowage of items on the Shuttle. The requirement to support this activity has reinforced the importance of building flexibility into our ground processing capabilities and operational planning for the ISS Phase 2 resupply missions. In order to accommodate the potential for similar requirements during Phase 2, we have designed and are in the process of developing support equipment, which will permit contingency access to the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) after it is installed in the orbiter at the Pad. This will enhance our ability to react to changes which require the addition of items late in the processing flow.
The Manager, Phase 1 Program, has been directed by the Lead Center director to perform a comprehensive review of current planning for space station operations. This review will assess ISS operations and mission management processes, including but not limited to, mission planning, the real-time mission management process, the Mission Management Team (MMT) structure, and other elements of flight operations. Additionally, he will review the Certificate of Flight Operations (COFR) process and other key activities leading up to and the execution of ISS flights.

Applicable NASA Enterprise(s):

• Human Exploration & Development of Space

Applicable Crosscutting Process(es):

• Manage Strategically

Additional Key Phrase(s):

• Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel
• Ground Operations
• Policy & Planning
• Risk Management/Assessment
• Safety & Mission Assurance

Approval Info:

• Approval Date: 14-dec-2001
• Approval Name: Bill Loewy
• Approval Organization: HQ
• Approval Phone Number: 202-358-0528