Use of Deionized Water in Ground Processing of Flight Hardware a Piece of the Flight Safety Risk

ABSTRACT In response to concerns raised during the mishap investigation of the Extravehicular Activity (EVA) 23 high visibility close call that occurred on July 16, 2013, the Johnson Space Center (JSC) commissioned a team of experts to investigate the existing deionized (DI) water system and production at the Center, and report any opportunities for improvement in processes and practices related to DI water production and use. The results of this institutional system investigation identified opportunities for improvement that could be true anywhere there is a capability requiring the use of DI water that has experienced changes in mission, workforce turnover, and aging infrastructure.