While these are important factors, they do not represent the total necessary for safe and reliably programs. Just as important are manufacturing practices, organizational structures, facilities, and human attitudes. The Panel works closely with NASA safety, reliability, and quality assurance organizations and contractors at all levels to achieve its mission. Each year since its inception in 1968, the Panel conducts a number of multifaceted, fact-finding sessions at NASA, its Centers, and contractor sites to review, evaluate, and advise on a wide range of program activities, systems, procedures, and management policies that contribute to risk. After this extensive data gathering process, the Panel then provides identification and assessment of these elements to top management.
Priority is given to programs involving human space flight safety.
Assesses those judgments rendered by internal and external review groups. The work of the Panel culminates each year in the publication of its Annual Report. This comprehensive Report presents findings and recommendations in key areas defined by the Panel during the previous year. The Report is a public document distributed to the NASA Administrator, appropriate House and Senate Committees and Subcommittees, NASA Centers, American and international industries, the media, academia and the public.