Abstract
America's Space Exploration program is characterized by cutting edge technology in support of NASA's goals and research objectives. One principal component of the Space Shuttle System is the Orbiter Vehicle which undergoes necessary repairs and refurbishment at the Kennedy Space Center following each mission. The Orbiter's Thermal Protection System (TPS) is a mission critical component which protects the orbiter from the heat of re-entry from space. The University of Central Florida (UCF) research team was tasked with evaluating TPS processing requirements to reduce overall cycle times between operational mission. A job/task performance analysis was conducted to identify candidate TPS processes for evaluation and possible improvements. The research team developed a computer generated Improvement Potential Index (IPI) following a systematic data collection process. The IPI was then used to identify the top twenty processes which TPS engineers, quality assurance personnel and technicians identified as tasks which would most likely benefit from process improvement. The specified tasks were then analyzed for methods optimization. This paper documents the results of this effort to date, with emphasis on the Improvement Potential Index.
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