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NASA Ball NASA
Procedural
Requirements 		NPR 8705.4A
Effective Date: April 29, 2021
Expiration Date: April 29, 2026
COMPLIANCE IS MANDATORY FOR NASA EMPLOYEES
Printable Format (PDF)

Subject: Risk Classification for NASA Payloads

Responsible Office: Office of Safety and Mission Assurance


| TOC | Preface | Chapter1 | Chapter2 | Chapter3 | AppendixA | AppendixB | AppendixC | AppendixD | AppendixE | AppendixF | ALL |

Appendix C. Risk Classification Considerations for Class A – Class D NASA Missions and Instruments

C.1 This appendix provides considerations for designating a mission or instrument risk tolerance class. These considerations constitute a structured approach for identifying a hierarchy of risk tolerances commensurate with the four risk tolerance classes defined in Chapter 3.

C.2 The considerations provided are to be treated holistically with each taken into account in order to most appropriately designate a mission or instrument risk tolerance class based on the applicable mission criteria. The considerations provided in the table below are not definitive, nor is any specific mission criterion alone intended to be the ultimate driver to designating a mission or instrument risk tolerance class. Ultimately, the mission or instrument risk tolerance class is designated by the Mission Directorate in accordance with paragraph 3.1.4.

C.3 Other considerations for designating a mission or instrument risk tolerance class may exist that are not explicitly expressed in this appendix (e.g., alternate research or reflight opportunities, launch constraints).

Mission and Instrument Risk Classification Considerations
Priority
(Relevance to Agency Strategic Plan,
National Significance, Significance
to the Agency and Strategic Partners)		 Very High: Class A
High: Class B
Medium: Class C
Low: Class D
Primary Mission Lifetime Long, > 5 Years: Class A
Medium, 5 Years > – > 3 Years: Class B
Short, 3 Years > – > 1Years: Class C
Brief, < 1 Year: Class D
Complexity and Challenges
(Interfaces, International Partnerships,
Uniqueness of Instruments, Mission Profile,
Technologies, Ability to Reservice,
Sensitivity to Process Variations)		 Very High: Class A
High: Class B
Medium: Class C
Medium to Low: Class D
Life-Cycle Cost High : Class A
Medium to High Class B
Medium : Class C
Medium to Low Class D


| TOC | Preface | Chapter1 | Chapter2 | Chapter3 | AppendixA | AppendixB | AppendixC | AppendixD | AppendixE | AppendixF | ALL |
 
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