Human Error Analysis in JEM Development and Pre-Launch Activity
- Paper number
IAC-05-D1.5.02
- Author
Mr. Yoshihiko Uemura, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan
- Coauthor
Mr. Hiroki Furihata, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan
- Coauthor
Mr. Yoshiyuki Hasegawa, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan
- Year
2005
- Abstract
The International Space Station Project aims to conduct astronomical observations of Earth and other celestial bodies. It will allow scientists to perform studies and experiments in space by taking advantage of special features unique to the space environment. The Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) the first Japanese manned experimental facility will be docked to the ISS in 2007. Since 1985, Japan has participated in the International Space Station (ISS) Program with the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM). JEM has been developed since 1987. It consists of a Pressurized Module (PM), an Exposed Facility (EF), a Remote Manipulator System (RMS), an Inter-orbit Communication System (ICS), an Experiment Logistics Module Pressurized Section (ELM-PS), and an Experiment Logistics Module Exposed Section (ELM-ES). JEM development is nearly completed and PM was transported to NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) from JAXA Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC) in 2003. JEM will be subjected to the final checkout, transported to launch site and integrated into the Space Shuttle. A large number of anomalies which are caused by human error have occurred in JEM development and pre-launch activities. This analysis aims to analyze human-error behind anomalies and eliminate root cause of those anomalies for our launch site operations and on-orbit mission success of the Japanese first manned spacecraft for near future. In this paper, the human error analysis is conducted against all anomalies through design, fabrication, test and launch site operations phase, by classifying into four (4) categories, 1) the lack of experience and knowledge, 2) the lack of recognizing, 3) the lack of confirming and 4) the lack of technique. This analysis allows us to capture the trend of anomalies in terms of human factor. Also, Analysis method of “thread of connection” in which anomalies are classified as direct cause, indirect cause and fundamental cause and relationships among those cause are identified is proposed. It is applied to a specific anomalies example on this paper to clarify fundamental problems. As a result of this analysis, we found we could not always prevent recurrence of anomalies because we had not got to fundamental cause. Most of anomalies are related not only to technical perspective but also to management perspective. Sometimes it is difficult to understand why the anomalies happen fundamentally enough to prevent recurrences if you concentrate only on technical point of views. Finally, we also propose some countermeasures for improvement. JAXA has PM pre-launch processing until the launch in 2007. In order to complete the mission of the first Japanese manned spacecraft ‘JEM’ successfully, JAXA continues striving to prevent human error and will derive the prospective human error analysis method from the experience of JEM project for next Japanese space mission.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-05-D1.5.02.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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