NASA Public Service Medal (non-Government personnel) An award granted to anyone who was not a Government employee when the service was performed. The award recognizes exceptional contributions to the mission of NASA.

Citation reads: In recognition of outstanding achievement in computer safety engineering in support of the International Space Station Program.

Justification cited by NASA for award:
Roger Chrostowski is a recognized expert in computer and software safety in manned spaceflight, and has made significant contributions to the International Space Station (ISS) Program which have been critical to its success.

His accomplishments include:
As a Grumman employee in the late 80’s, Roger assisted in the establishment of the Space Station Freedom software assurance strategies and requirements. He also advised NASA Headquarters during the establishment of the Independent Verification & Validation (IV&V) Program. He was an important and valued team member in the Freedom program and has continued his support of the ISS program as a Boeing team member. Many of the strategies and requirements originally conceived by Roger are still the foundation for software assurance today in ISS.

Authored the Computer-based Control Systems safety requirements which advanced the engineering strategy for safely operating a spacecraft with dependence on a single operating computer. This resulted in a significant cost avoidance for the ISS Program and future manned space programs as well.

Organized and led the ISS software safety discipline including authoring the ISS Software Assurance Plan and organizing and chairing the software assurance boards and panels that still exist today. Roger led the Boeing effort to integrate software safety analyses and system safety hazard reports.

Performed technical analysis and review of Russian software development and assurance activities and provided expert analysis and data to NASA to support NASA’s certification of flight readiness statements for the first Russian flight to ISS. He continues today to be a key person knowledgeable on Russian software assurance practices.

Developed an ISS process for the identification and control of hazardous commands and performs the supporting technical safety analysis.. Identifies, tracks and verifies hazardous commands for each flight. Coordinates existing hazardous command lists with the hazard analysis process. Established restrictions on the use of hazardous commands within automated scripts. This required extensive coordination with operations and crew personnel. Provided safety analysis in mapping between hazard analyses and operational commands. This process is critical to ensuring the safety of the ISS spacecraft and crew.

Co-chairs the ISS Joint Software Assurance Panel (JSAP) and leads a multi-skilled, cross-functional, and geographically dispersed team in the definition, planning, monitoring and resolution of SW quality assurance issues.

Supports ISS real-time computer and software problem evaluations on a 24 hour, 7 days a week on-call basis.