Lecture: The Columbia Accident: Risk Management, Decision Making, & Organizational Lessons Learned w/ Dr. David Lengyel, a Former Chief Risk Officer, NASA Human Exploration & Operations Mission Directorate

The February 2003 loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia during reentry on mission STS-107 was a mishap that stunned both NASA and the world. This presentation examines risk management, decision-making, and organizational issues associated with this mishap with the goal of raising awareness of key lessons learned.

David Lengyel, Ph.D. retired from NASA in 2014 after 21 years at the agency. From 2005 to 2014 he served as the Chief Risk and Knowledge Management Officer for the Exploration Systems Mission and Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorates. He managed the Moscow Technical Liaison Office in Russia for the International Space Station Program, served as Executive Director of the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel and Executive Secretary of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board. Prior to coming to NASA, Mr. Lengyel was an F-15 Eagle and FA-18 Hornet Aircrew Training Instructor for the McDonnell Aircraft Company. He accumulated over 2200 flight hours as a Naval Flight Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps while flying the F-4S Phantom II, FA-18 Hornet and OV-10 Bronco. He holds a Ph.D. and MS in Systems Engineering from The George Washington University, an MA in International Affairs from Washington University in St. Louis, an MBA from the University of Missouri, and a BS from the U.S. Naval Academy.

This lecture is from the 2021 National Youth Science Camp. Hosted in Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia since 1963, the National Youth Science Camp (#NYSCamp) is a residential science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (#STEM) program designed to honor and challenge some of the nation’s rising leaders and provide them with opportunities to engage with STEM professionals and participate in exciting outdoor activities. Typically, two delegates are selected to attend camp from each state and the District of Columbia. In partnership with the U.S. State Department, we also host international delegates. Past countries represented include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Germany, Japan, Mexico, and Trinidad and Tobago. Housing, meals, transportation, and supplies are provided to participants at no cost. Learn more at nysf(dot)com.

Lecture Date: 07/30/2021

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