NRP-1390, NASA REFERENCE PUBLICATION: SPACECRAFT SYSTEMS FAILURES AND ANOMALIES ATTRIBUTED TO THE NATURAL SPACE ENVIRONMENT (AUG-1996)

NRP-1390, NASA REFERENCE PUBLICATION: SPACECRAFT SYSTEMS FAILURES AND ANOMALIES ATTRIBUTED TO THE NATURAL SPACE ENVIRONMENT (AUG-1996)., The effects of the natural space environment on spacecraft design, development, and operation are the topic of a series of NASA Reference Publications currently being developed by the Electromagnetics and Aerospace Environments Branch, Systems Analysis and Integration Laboratory, Marshall Space Flight Center. This primer provides an overview of seven major areas of the natural space environment including brief definitions, related programmatic issues, and effects on various spacecraft subsystems. The primary focus is to present more than 100 case histories of spacecraft failures and anomalies documented from 1974 through 1994 attributed to the natural space environment. A better understanding of the natural space environment and its effects will enable spacecraft designers and managers to more effectively minimize program risks and costs, optimize design quality, and achieve mission objectives.