ABSTRACT: To Infinity and Beyond: How NASA Ensures Safe Outdoor Laser Operations Across Diverse Laser Missions
NASA’s use of lasers is rapidly expanding across applications such as spaceflight payloads, atmospheric sensing, and advanced communication technologies. To ensure consistent and robust oversight, the NASA Laser Safety Review Board (LSRB) provides Agency-level evaluation of systems that exceed Center authority or involve unique operational risks. This presentation outlines the LSRB’s purpose, structure, and review process, highlighting how crossCenter expertise supports safe and successful laser operations. Through examples from recent NASA projects, attendees will gain clarity on when LSRB review is required, what information is needed for assessment, and how proactive hazard identification enables mission success without limiting innovation.
BIO: Jamie A. Gurney
NASA Agency Contract Health Physicist, GSE, Inc.
NASA Agency Contract Health Physicist, GSE, Inc.
Jamie Gurney supports the Office of Chief Health and Medical Officer as a Contract Health Physicist for NASA HQ. She currently provides technical expertise and policy guidance in Radiation Protection Programs across all 14 NASA centers, while her office resides at the Kenned Space Center, FL. She also serves as the Executive Secretary to the NASA Laser Safety Review Board.
Over the course of Jamie’s 37-year career, she has supported Radiation Protection Programs across nuclear power generating facilities, government, military, and state agencies. She began her career in Radiation Protection in the nuclear power industry before joining the Environmental Health and Safety department with EG&G at the Kennedy Space Center in 1997. It was here that she was introduced to laser safety and nonionizing radiation, soon becoming the lead nonionizing specialist within the Health Physics Department.
Jamie is a Certified Laser Safety Officer (CLSO) and a National Registered Radiation Protection Technologist. She holds a B.A. in Business Administration with a specialization in Management and an Associate of Science degree in Radiation Protection Technology.
Her accomplishments have been recognized with numerous honors, including the NASA Silver Snoopy Award and a Launch Director Award from Kennedy Space Center. She is also an active member of the SAE G10T Laser Safety Hazards Committee and the Health Physics Society.
Over the course of Jamie’s 37-year career, she has supported Radiation Protection Programs across nuclear power generating facilities, government, military, and state agencies. She began her career in Radiation Protection in the nuclear power industry before joining the Environmental Health and Safety department with EG&G at the Kennedy Space Center in 1997. It was here that she was introduced to laser safety and nonionizing radiation, soon becoming the lead nonionizing specialist within the Health Physics Department.
Jamie is a Certified Laser Safety Officer (CLSO) and a National Registered Radiation Protection Technologist. She holds a B.A. in Business Administration with a specialization in Management and an Associate of Science degree in Radiation Protection Technology.
Her accomplishments have been recognized with numerous honors, including the NASA Silver Snoopy Award and a Launch Director Award from Kennedy Space Center. She is also an active member of the SAE G10T Laser Safety Hazards Committee and the Health Physics Society.
