Method to employ covariate data in risk assessments

Author

Powell, Mark A.

Author_Institution

Attwater Consulting, Webster, TX, USA

fYear

2011

fDate

5-12 March 2011

Firstpage

1

Lastpage

8

Abstract

The International Space Station Program experienced a problem with the extra vehicular activity (EVA) pre-breathe oxygen (O₂) sensor on-board the International Space Station (ISS). Astronauts on the ISS must pre-breathe a mixture rich in oxygen prior to a scheduled EVA to prevent nitrogen narcosis (the bends) during the EVA. The O₂ measurement from this sensor on the pre-breathing apparatus was observed during its 270 day mission to be in error by more than ±6mmHg, subjecting the life of the EVA astronaut to an unacceptable risk. The ISS Program was faced with either halting EVA´s for the ISS until this sensor could be redesigned, tested, and delivered to the ISS, or finding some other way to reduce this risk to the EVA astronauts to an acceptable level.

Keywords

aerospace instrumentation; covariance analysis; gas sensors; risk management; space research; space vehicles; covariate data; extra vehicular activity; international space station program; on-board; pre-breathe oxygen sensor; risk assessments; Calibration; Data models; Equations; Joints; Mathematical model; Measurement errors; Uncertainty;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Aerospace Conference, 2011 IEEE

Conference_Location

Big Sky, MT

ISSN

1095-323X

Print_ISBN

978-1-4244-7350-2

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/AERO.2011.5747630

Filename

5747630