ISS: A Partner in Enabling Space Exploration Through Reduction of Risk

Abstract

Many management and engineering solutions contribu te to the strength of a program. Management integration in cost, schedule, and technical risk areas can have a significant effect on program success. An assessment of cases from several spaceflight programs and the ISS results in recommendations that can lead to future success. The ISS is currently the largest space exploration program in the world. It involves several major aerospace companies and international space agencies as partners. The ISS Program is of importance and relevance to the Space Explor ation Vision, particularly in the utilization of the ISS as a test bed for new technologies and techniques in support of CEV and Lunar Mission hardware design and development. I. INTRODUCTION The International Space Station (ISS) has been, and will continue t o be, instrumental to the exploration of space. During the course of the ISS Program, NASA has amassed critical insight in many areas crucial to space exploration and will further increase this knowledge as ISS progresses with assembly, operations and uti lization. Knowledge has been gained in all areas, including management, integration, operations, assembly, maintenance, International Partner relationships, life sciences and engineering. NASA is at a critical juncture at this time, beginning implementa tion of the Exploration Program in parallel with ISS operations. Careful forward planning and strong commitment can maximize the potential benefits gained from the ISS Program and reduce risk to the Exploration Program, while also maximizing synergies bet ween the two Programs for optimum resource usage. This requires that both programs work together now to develop a strategy for implementation.