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Constellation Program Lessons Learned: Volume II - Detailed Lessons LearnedThese lessons learned are part of a suite of hardware, software, test results, designs, knowledge base, and documentation that comprises the legacy of the Constellation Program. The context, summary information, and lessons learned are presented in a factual format, as known and described at the time. While our opinions might be discernable in the context, we have avoided all but factually sustainable statements. Statements should not be viewed as being either positive or negative; their value lies in what we did and what we learned that is worthy of passing on. The lessons include both "dos" and "don ts." In many cases, one person s "do" can be viewed as another person s "don t"; therefore, we have attempted to capture both perspectives when applicable and useful. While Volume I summarizes the views of those who managed the program, this Volume II encompasses the views at the working level, describing how the program challenges manifested in day-to-day activities. Here we see themes that were perhaps hinted at, but not completely addressed, in Volume I: unintended consequences of policies that worked well at higher levels but lacked proper implementation at the working level; long-term effects of the "generation gap" in human space flight development, the need to demonstrate early successes at the expense of thorough planning, and the consequences of problems and challenges not yet addressed because other problems and challenges were more immediate or manifest. Not all lessons learned have the benefit of being operationally vetted, since the program was cancelled shortly after Preliminary Design Review. We avoid making statements about operational consequences (with the exception of testing and test flights that did occur), but we do attempt to provide insight into how operational thinking influenced design and testing. The lessons have been formatted with a description, along with supporting information, a succinct statement of the lesson learned, and recommendations for future programs and projects that may be placed in similar circumstances.
Document ID
20110015803
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Special Publication (SP)
Authors
Jennifer Rhatigan (Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas, United States)
Deborah J Neubek (Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas, United States)
L Dale Thomas (Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
June 21, 2011
Publication Information
Publisher: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Subject Category
Space Sciences (General)
Report/Patent Number
JSC-CN-24727
NASA/SP-2011-6127-VOL-2
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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