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2. Space Dynamics Laboratory Corporate Profile
A nonprofit corporation wholly owned by Utah State University
Federally chartered as a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC)
~350 employees
Locations
The research and development campus with over 200,000 ft2 of state-of-the-art facilities is in North Logan, UT
Field offices are in Washington, DC; Bedford, MA; and Albuquerque, NM
Capabilities, Experience & Facilities
Design, assembly, calibration and test of aerospace sensors, complete payloads, and spacecraft busses
Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data tools and sensors
Delivered more than 400 successful space missions
World-class fabrication, testing, and calibration facilities
3. Facilities Overview Electronics Laboratories
Cryogenic and Vacuum
Equipment Build and Testing
Design and Fabrication/
Machine Shop
Clean Rooms and High Bay
Assembly Areas
Environmental and Mechanical
Test Facilities
Computer Software, Modeling and Simulation
Unique Cryogenic IR Sensor Calibration
Equipment
Complete PCB Design, Assembly &
Test Capability
Cable & Harness Assembly Capability
4. Capabilities Electro-optical sensor research and development for space-,
air-, and ground-based systems
IR, Visible and UV sensors
Multi and hyperspectral sensors
Imaging and non-imaging spectrometers
Test and evaluation
Sensor calibration and characterization
Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance
Data compression
Software development
Data exploitation
Tactical sensors
Other key technologies
Thermal design for cryo systems
In situ sensors
Modeling and simulation
Agriculture science and sensing
Small sat systems & missions
5. We Are All In This Together… NASA Goddard is making a concerted effort to ensure
their suppliers are compliant with AS/ISO/NASA
requirements
The supplier is responsible to show compliance
(“deliver the mail”)
6. The Problems with Assessments Time Consuming
Preparation Prior
Assessment Itself
Follow-up Afterward
Not viewed as value add by...
Costly
Risky
Stressful
7. The Benefits of Assessments ? Provides an opportunity to increase depth of understanding of NASA’s views on compliance
? Provides a fresh perspective on the robustness of your processes and process controls
? Creates a baseline for ongoing process improvements
? Provides a training opportunity for internal Quality personnel
? Provides a great opportunity to show the
customer how effective your
organization is!
8. The Preparation Side of Assessments Know your audit material:
Applicable NASA Standards
AS9100
ISO 9000:2000 requirements
Other Contractual Requirements
Know your quality system documentation, records, requirements, etc.
Meet with the core team that will support the assessment
Determine who your subject matter experts are
and use them
9. The Preparation Side of Assessments Have your objective evidence ready
Internal Audit Reports
Management Review Records
Calibration Data
NCR Process & Status
GIDEP & DPAS Rating Process Controls
Applicable program requirements, process control documents, and records
Walk the areas to be audited
Walk the areas to be audited again…..
First impressions are lasting impressions
10. The Assessment You Either Agree or … Not Again, have your objective evidence ready
Follow the wisdom of Covey and
“Seek first to understand and then to be understood”®
Covey, Steven R. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. NY: Simon & Schuster, 2004
When responding to an audit question:
State your position and
Support your position with data
No time left for the discussion?
Take exception in your follow-up responses
11. After the Assessment Manage the corrective action follow-up process
Typically, 20+ non-conformances / observations cited
Provide evidence of status to an agreed schedule with
NASA
This process will force you to stay on target with the process
improvements
The follow-up assessment will go more smoothly if you have
communicated progress over time
12. After the Assessment Take those exceptions if you feel that you have strong
evidence that negates the non-conformance or
observation
Communicate
Internally
With NASA
13. After the Assessment Use your internal corrective and preventive action
processes to document C/A, P/A and verification
Agree to the follow-up assessment
Clears the perception of non-compliance
Provides NASA with the opportunity to view first-hand your
process improvements
Good for your organization to have
progress validated
14. SUMMARY Covey had it right when he said:
Seek first to understand and then to be understood
The benefits of compliance far outweigh the risks associated with an assessment
Employee and management engagement in the assessment process builds an organization confident in their abilities and in their process controls
Communication is Key
15. Contact Information We Are All In This Together
How To Make The Most Of An Assessment By NASA