October 2, 2003

Melissa Motichek/Al Feinberg
Headquarters, Washington 
(Phone: 202/358-1272/4504)

RELEASE: 03-316

NASA SIGNS MISSION ASSURANCE AGREEMENT

NASA signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the U.S. Department 
of Defense Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The MOA allows the two 
organizations to exchange information and collaborate on crucial 
matters affecting safety and mission success. 

Under the agreement, NASA and MDA will exchange information about 
safety and quality methodology and participate jointly in work 
groups, studies, analysis, and supplier audit/assessment activities. 
NASA and MDA have also agreed to share relevant documents, data and 
information about topics such as mission assurance practices, the 
status of risks in parts and materiel supply chains.

"Sharing information and ideas that address the challenges of safe and 
successful space flight will help both agencies," said Bryan 
O'Connor, NASA's Associate Administrator for Safety and Mission 
Assurance, after signing the agreement Tuesday.

This MOA is the latest in a series of actions resulting from 
information exchanges between NASA and other organizations that 
manage high-risk operations. This includes an MOA signed in August 
with the U.S. Navy to identify and use the "best of the best" safety 
and engineering practices of each organization.

For photographs from the NASA/MDA MOA ceremony on the Internet, visit: 


http://www.nasa.gov/news/highlights/missile_moa.html 

For more information about NASA on the Internet, visit: 

http://www.nasa.gov 

	
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