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NASA Ball NASA
Procedural
Requirements 		NPR 8705.4B
Effective Date: November 01, 2024
Expiration Date: October 31, 2032
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 class(es) defined in Chapter 3.

C.2 The considerations provided are to be treated holistically with each taken into account 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. For example, a mission with a 10-year mission lifetime could potentially be characterized as a Class C mission given that other mission consideration factors fall more in line with a Class C mission. As another example, a mission with a 2-month mission lifetime could potentially be characterized as a Class A mission given that other mission consideration factors fall more in line with a Class A mission considerations. Ultimately, the mission or instrument risk tolerance class is designated by the Mission Directorate in accordance with paragraph 3.1.3.

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).Table C-1 Mission and Instrument Risk Classification Considerations

Table C-1 Mission and Instrument Risk Classification Considerations

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


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