scope:

Abstract:

Although a mission assurance manager was assigned to MCO during project development, there was no independent mission assurance function established for the work performed at JPL following launch. Require an independent Mission Assurance representative during the operational phase of every flight project. This individual should become familiar with and integrated into the project during the latter phases of development, and possess independent responsibility to verify compliance with design and operational requirements.

Require all flight projects to report and track post-launch anomalies on ISAs. Project management should rigidly enforce this requirement and maintain a disciplined disposition, tracking and resolution process.