Non-Conformance Tracking System (NCTS)

The Non-conformance Tracking System (NCTS) is a successful web-based NCR management application with more than 1,100 users within different space projects, on both ESA and Industry partners.

Continuously enhanced to meet demanding user needs, NCTS allows the creation, routine management and follow up of non-conformances during the execution of space projects by users at different contractual levels.

Since its beginning in 2005, NCTS has been driven by the needs of diverse projects such as Galileo, CryoSat, LISA Pathfinder, JWST, BepiColombo, etc, to name just a few, and is now also suited for new ambitious projects like ExoMars. It fully satisfies the product assurance requirements of space projects, ensuring full compliance with ECSS requirements.

NCTS also provides a standard platform to enable the exchange of non-conformance data with ESA industrial partners. This interface solution was implemented under the lead of ESA in cooperation with EADS Astrium and Thales Alenia Space, a fruitful cooperation project that achieved successful qualification at the beginning of this year.

The NCTS Workshop aims to formally present NCTS to the space Industry, its functionalities and data exchange capabilities, and to provide the knowledge required to operate the tool. Moreover, the event is an exceptional occasion to share the experience acquired by space projects on NCR management and presents an excellent opportunity for exchange of ideas in the field.

European Space Product Catalogue (ESPC)

The European Space Product Catalogue (ESPC) is intended to be an instrument for the European space community, to promote the efficient re-use of products in space projects, with minimum additional effort.

The ESPC will include equipment and building blocks, fully or partially qualified, at a TRL equal to, or higher than 5. The selection of candidates for inclusion in the catalogue will be based on a solid business case, supported by target users, to ensure a reasonable expectation of use and an adequate return of investment for the qualification effort.

ESA will certify the level of qualification achieved by the products in the catalogue and will take measures to promote their utilization in space projects. ESA will also ensure the maintenance of the catalogue.

A concept for the ESPC has been developed by ESA, which includes the definition of the framework for the catalogue, criteria and approach for its build-up, data to be made available for each catalogue product, use and maintenance of the catalogue, and a high level development schedule. This was presented at the Conference on ESA Technology, Procurement & Industrial Policy, 4 June 2008, ESTEC, were valuable feedback was gathered from the industrial representatives.

The development of a prototype has started, with the aim of presenting it at the joint NCTS & ESPC Industry Workshop Day, 22 September 2008, to stimulate further feedback from industry and refinement of the concept.