NASA Procedures and Guidelines
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NPR 8705.4 Eff. Date: June 14, 2004 Cancellation Date:	Risk Classification for NASA Payloads (Updated w/change 3)
| TOC | ChangeLog | Preface | Chapter1 | Chapter2 | AppendixA | AppendixB | AppendixC | ALL |

Preface

P.1 PURPOSE

This NPR establishes baseline criteria that enable a user to define the risk classification level for NASA payloads on human- or nonhuman-rated launch systems or carrier vehicles and the design and test philosophy and the common assurance practices applicable to each level. The establishment of the risk level early in programs and projects provides the basis for program and project managers to develop and implement appropriate mission assurance and risk management strategies and requirements and to effectively communicate the acceptable level of risk.

P.2 APPLICABILITY

a. This NPR applies to NASA Headquarters, NASA Centers, including Component Facilities and Technical and Service Support Centers. This language applies to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a Federal Funded Research and Development and Center, and other contractors only to the extent specified or referenced in their appropriate contracts.

b This document applies to programs and projects governed by NPR 7120.5, NASA Space Flight Program and Project Management Requirements.

c. This NPR applies to NASA payloads and does not apply to launch systems or carrier vehicles. Application of this NPR to on-orbit services or non-NASA payloads provided to NASA as a result of foreign collaborations is at the discretion of the responsible NASA Mission Directorate. Risk within the context of this NPR refers to the likelihood of not achieving mission success.

d. This NPR takes precedence over all other lower level documents.

e. The following definitions apply:

(1) Payload - Any airborne or space equipment or material that is not an integral part of the carrier vehicle (i.e., not part of the carrier aircraft, balloon, sounding rocket, expendable or recoverable launch vehicle). Included are items such as free-flying automated spacecraft, Space Shuttle payloads, Space Station payloads, Expendable Launch Vehicle payloads, flight hardware and instruments designed to conduct experiments, and payload support equipment.

(2) NASA Payload - Any payload for which NASA has design, development, test, or operations responsibility.

f. In this directive, all mandatory actions (i.e., requirements) are denoted by statements containing the term "shall." The terms: "may" or "can" denote discretionary privilege or permission, "should" denotes a good practice and is recommended, but not required, "will" denotes expected outcome, and "are" and "is" denote descriptive material.

P.3 AUTHORITY

NPD 8700.1, NASA Policy for Safety and Mission Success.

P.4 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS AND FORMS

a. NPD 8720.1, NASA Reliability and Maintainability (R&M) Program Policy.

b. NPD 8730.5, NASA Quality Assurance Program Policy.

c. NPR 7120.5, NASA Space Flight Program and Project Management Requirements.

d. NPR 8000.4, Agency Risk Management Procedural Requirements.

e. NPR 8705.5, Technical Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) Procedures for Safety and Mission Sucess.

f. NPR 8735.1, Procedures For Exchanging Parts, Materials, and Safety Problem Data Utilizing the Government-Industry Data Exchange Program and NASA Advisories.

g. NPR 8735.2, Management of Government Quality Assurance Functions for NASA Contracts.

P.5 MEASUREMENT/VERIFICATION

Compliance by programs and projects with the requirements contained within this NPR is verified as part of selected life cycle reviews, and by assessments, reviews, and audits. This NPR specifies development of milestone products and control plans that are reviewed at each of the selected life cycle reviews conducted in accordance with the requirements of NPR 7120.5, NASA Space Flight Program and Project Management Requirements, and NPR 7123.1, NASA Systems Engineering Processes and Requirements. Compliance with the requirements contained within this NPR is also monitored by Centers, Mission Directorates, and by the SMA Technical Authority.

P.6 CANCELLATION

NPR 8705.4, Risk Classification for NASA Payloads, June 14, 2004.

UPDATED W/CHANGE 3, OCT. 2, 2014, ORIGINAL SIGNED BY:

/S/ Bryan O'Connor
Associate Administrator for
Safety and Mission Assurance

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