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Spotlight on Lessons Learned graphic with a photo of the ISOPAR-H Tank and TEA-TEB Fill Tank. Credit: NASA
Spotlight on Lessons Learned: E-1 Triethyl Aluminum-Triethyl Borane System Contamination

Mistake-proofing techniques built into system processes can aid in preventing human error when engineers and test operators make time-critical decisions in unique circumstances such as dangerous weather or limited supplies.

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System Expert Performing Analysis of a Thermal Protection System Tile. Credit: NASA
Spotlight on Lessons Learned: Component Identification Procedures Used in the Columbia Accident Investigation

Procedures developed by the NASA community to identify, catalog, and inspect accident debris proved invaluable in the Space Shuttle Columbia accident investigation.

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Graphic showing the configuration of the MSL Descent Stage for the final mechanical walkdown. Credit: NASA
Spotlight on Lessons Learned: Conduct a Final Mechanical Walkdown Prior to Spacecraft Integration with the Launch Vehicle

Independent mechanical walkdowns of spacecraft are sometimes credited with discovering discrepancies that could have interfered with mission success.

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This is one of a series of photos taken by the Expedition 34 crew members aboard the International Space Station during the March 3, 2013 approach, capture and docking of the SpaceX Dragon. Credit: NASA
Spotlight on Lessons Learned: Lessons Learned from NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) Program

NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) Program provides a starting point for formulation, design, management, and implementation of future public-private capability development partnerships.

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An illustration of the Europa Clipper flying in space with Jupiter's moon Europa in the background. Credit: NASA
Spotlight on Lessons Learned: Tube Stub Weld Design Change

Strong lines of communication between designers and analysts must be maintained to ensure fidelity of analysis results as flight component configurations evolve.

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The NASA Autonomous Flight Termination Unit. Credit: NASA
Spotlight on Lessons Learned: Static Software Analysis of the NASA Autonomous Flight Termination Software

A NASA Engineering and Safety Center assessment of the Autonomous Flight Termination System resulted in coding standard and software static analysis recommendations for software development teams.

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The Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, was designed to make space-based observations of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere to better understand the characteristics of climate change. This illustration shows the OCO-1 satellite in space, with Earth in the background. Credit: NASA
Spotlight on Lessons Learned: Orbiting Carbon Observatory Launch Vehicle Mishap Investigation Results

Failure of a launch vehicle payload fairing to separate during ascent resulted in the loss of the Orbiting Carbon Observatory satellite mission.

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Graphic for Spotlight on Lessons Learned.
Spotlight on Lessons Learned: System / Facility Impedance Checks

Impedance compatibility problems between test facilities and electronics hardware can result in damage or failure.

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This illustration shows a CubeSat scanning and mapping an asteroid. Credit: NASA
Spotlight on Lessons Learned: Open-Source and Commercial Web Software Vulnerabilities

Projects that use commercial web software should take proactive measures to mitigate IT security risks.

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