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 the program/project 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.

APPLICABILITY

This NPR applies to NASA Headquarters, NASA Centers, and to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and other contractors to the extent specified in their respective contracts.

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

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.

This NPR takes precedence over all other lower level documents.

The following definitions apply:

a. 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.

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