PURPOSE

This NPR implements the requirements of NPD 8700.2, NASA Policy for Safety and Mission Assurance (SMA) for Experimental Aerospace Vehicles (EAV) by providing the procedural requirements for assessing the SMA elements of EAV programs and projects as the basis for SMA flight assessment and/or a recommendation for third-party indemnification.

APPLICABILITY

a. This NPR applies to NASA Headquarters and NASA Centers, including Component Facilities, and to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to the extent specified in its contract with NASA.

b. This NPR applies to any "Experimental Aerospace Vehicle" as defined by 42 U.S.C. 2458c (d)(3). For the purposes of this NPR, the term EAV includes a vehicle defined in 42 U.S.C. 2458c (d)(3) as: "an object intended to be flown in, or launched into, orbital or suborbital flight for the purpose of demonstrating technologies necessary for a reusable launch vehicle, developed under an agreement between the Administration and a developer." Additionally, the term EAV includes vehicles demonstrating reentry and landing technology in accordance with the above criteria. This NPR applies to the NASA-supported EAV program/projects during all mission phases, from development through postflight/completion.

c. Requirements in this NPR are waived for aircraft operating in support of EAV missions at less than Mach 5 and 100,000 feet in altitude. Managers of programs and projects involving vehicles exceeding both parameters shall use this document (Requirement 21055).