Lives can be, and have been, lost in our reach for the stars.
In 1986, the world was horrified to watch the Space Shuttle Challenger disintegrate in a ball of flame shortly after takeoff. No one wants to be reminded of that disaster, but the fact remains much of what we do at NASA can result in a catastrophe, and the potential for these types of consequences requires a constant state of heightened awareness and care about our approach to critical tasks and missions. The NSRS is NASA's only Agency-level, voluntary, responsive, and confidential safety reporting system. This reporting system provides a valuable option for timely notification of potential risks to the public, our Astronauts and pilots, the workforce, our high-value equipment and property, and our overall mission success. The NSRS process was initiated to complement, not replace, NASA's established safety reporting channels.