Process for Selecting System Level Assessments for Human System Technologies 2006-01-2243

Integration of the many life support systems necessary to construct a stable habitat is difficult. Identification of the appropriate technologies and corresponding interfaces is an exhaustive process. Once technologies are selected, secondary issues such as mechanical and electrical interfaces must be addressed. The required analytical and testing work must be approached in a piecewise fashion to achieve timely results. In the work outlined in this paper a repeatable process has been developed to identify and prioritize systems level assessments and testing needs. This Assessment Selection Process has been defined to assess cross cutting integration issues at the system or component levels. Assessments are short term studies to be completed in four to six weeks. Assessments are used to identify risks, encourage future actions to mitigate risks, or spur further studies. This selection process has been implemented within the Life Support and Habitation Community at NASA's Johnson Space Center.