NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
CHARTER OF THE
AEROSPACE SAFETY ADVISORY PANEL

1.0  OFFICIAL DESIGNATION

This charter sets forth the purpose for the Panel officially designated as the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel, originally established under Section 6 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, 1968, as amended (P.L. 90-67, codified at 42 U.S.C. § 2477).  The Panel was reauthorized in Section 106, Safety Management, Section 6, of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005, (P.L. 109-155).  Further, the NASA Administrator hereby renews and amends the Panel’s charter, pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), U.S.C. App. §§ 1 et seq.

2.0  PURPOSE AND DUTIES

2.1  The Panel shall draw on the expertise of its members and other sources to provide advice and make recommendations to the NASA Administrator on matters related to safety.

2.2  In accordance with 42 U.S.C § 2477 (as reauthorized in 2005), the Panel shall review safety studies and operations plans referred to it, including evaluating NASA’s compliance with the return-to-flight and continue-to-fly recommendations of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board, and shall make reports thereon, shall advise the NASA Administrator and the Congress with respect to the hazards of proposed or existing facilities and proposed operations with respect to the adequacy of proposed or existing safety standards, and with respect to management and culture related to safety.  The Panel shall also perform such other duties as the NASA Administrator may request. 

3.0  REPORTING

The Panel will function in an advisory capacity to the NASA Administrator, the Congress, and through the NASA Administrator to those organizational elements responsible for the management of the NASA safety and mission assurance activities.

4.0  PANEL ORGANIZATION AND SUPPORT

4.1  Panel Members:  In accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 2477 (as reauthorized in 2005), the Panel will consist of a maximum of nine members who will be appointed by the NASA Administrator.  Members will be appointed for six-year terms.  Members shall receive compensation as authorized in the NASA Authorization Act of 2005.  Most members will serve as Special Government Employees (SGEs).
4.2  Panel Chairman:  In accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 2477 (as reauthorized in 2005), one member shall be designated by the Panel as its Chairman.

4.3  Panel Composition:  The Panel will be comprised of recognized safety, management, and engineering experts from industry, academia, and other Government agencies.

4.4  NASA Membership:  In accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 2477 (as reauthorized in 2005), not more than four Panel members shall be chosen from the officers and employees of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

4.5  Panel Support: The Office of External Relations, NASA Headquarters, will provide staff support to the Panel.  The Designated Federal Officer (DFO) will be appointed by the NASA Administrator and will serve as the Executive Director of the Panel.

5.0  PANEL REPORTS

5.1  Findings and Recommendations:  The Panel shall deliberate and report its findings and recommendations to the NASA Administrator.  Findings that are time critical will be reported immediately.

5.2  Annual Report:  The Panel shall submit an annual report to the NASA Administrator and to the Congress.  Each annual report shall include an evaluation of the Administration’s compliance with the recommendations of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board through retirement of the Space Shuttle.

5.3  Special Reviews and Evaluations:  The NASA Administrator may request certain special studies, reviews, and evaluations.  The Panel will submit reports with findings and recommendations, as deemed appropriate by the Panel, to the NASA Administrator within the timeline specified by the NASA Administrator.

6.0  ESTIMATED ANNUAL COSTS

NASA Headquarters will provide the budget for operation of the Panel. The estimated annual operating costs total $1,300,000, including two Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) for NASA civil servant staff support, technical report writing, travel, and meeting logistics support.

7.0  ESTIMATED NUMBER AND FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS

7.1 Meetings:  There will be four full Panel meetings held each year, on a quarterly basis, to perform the duties as described in Section 2.0.

7.2  Special Meetings:  Special meetings of the full Panel may be required and supported as needed.

7.3  Additional Meetings:  Additional meetings of individual Panelists or small groups of Panelists may be required for fact finding, preparatory or administrative work, and supported as needed.

8.0  DURATION

Since the Panel is a nondiscretionary federal advisory committee required by statute, this charter shall become effective upon the filing of this charter with the appropriate U.S. Senate and House of Representative oversight committees.  It shall terminate two years from the date of the filing of this charter unless renewed or terminated earlier by the NASA Administrator.

Signed November 14, 2007
Michael D. Griffin
NASA Administrator