Space Safety Institute Publications

The Space Safety Institute (SSI) leverages longstanding Aerospace expertise on issues of space safety to provide more targeted and impactful thought leadership across the range of challenges described in this 2022 Space Safety Compendium. Each chapter of this compendium describes key high priority areas that should be addressed over the next few years. The compendium has been developed in collaboration with The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy, and builds on material from previously published policy papers, referenced throughout each chapter, as a foundation for this compendium. Aerospace's experts also discussed the Space Safety Compendium on The Space Policy Show. Watch the full episode here.

Produced by Aerospace's SSI, this report presents a recommended framework for commercial human spaceflight safety based on an analysis of other transportation sectors, identification of common safety components, and a roadmap that leads to an ideal future where human spaceflight is a common practice. This takes into consideration current and future commercial activities regardless of the development status of individual spaceflight companies. The developed safety framework is flexible in order to recognize new developments, new transportation mechanisms, and new spaceflight destinations as they emerge. The report describes activities promoting these three common components and provides additional aspects for an effective and comprehensive safety framework, including a safety management system, safety case approaches, and other long-term considerations. The report concludes with a roadmap and a recommended timeline for implementation.

The lessons of Apollo, Skylab and the space shuttle with respect to the rescue of astronauts in space seem to have been forgotten as the United States enters a new era of space flight that includes commercially provided spacecraft, space tourism, and the return of U.S. astronauts to the moon. The present posture, of not planning for in-space rescue and not having responsive in-space rescue capabilities, needs to be addressed before the need for a rescue materializes. The U. S. has the wherewithal to establish space rescue capabilities and to do so with a sense of urgency. This paper seeks to raise awareness of the need to revisit space rescue policies and close capability gaps. Hear from experts on this topic in E68 of #TheSpacePolicyShow

Today, the space enterprise encompasses many players and stakeholders, including small businesses, universities, affinity organizations, and even primary schools. This paper explores U.S. space policies and how they apply to satellite missions that may not fit the “typical” mold on launch missions that may not have a single responsible agency. Where applicable, we have outlined the processes and approvals involved in getting to space. In addition, we have identified where further work is required to fill in policy gaps and “gray areas” in the overall policy picture. Hear from the authors on this topic and more on an episode of #TheSpacePolicyShow

More traffic on the road means more rules to protect drivers – the same is true for the space domain.  With more actors, larger constellations, and expanding human space flight – there needs to be greater attention to safety in space if we are to continue reaping benefits from space.  The Aerospace Corporation’s Space Safety Institute has issued a collection of research and writings that encompass: space situational awareness, launch and reentry, cyber security and spectrum allocation, and human space flight.  This episode features experts Samira Patel and Dr Josef Koller discussing the Space Safety Compendium, and special appearances from our deeply knowledgeable Aerospace experts. Read some highlights of the Compendium in this SpaceNews article by Jeff Foust "Report offers wide-ranging recommendations on space safety".

November 04, 2021

In-space rescue of distressed spacecraft in low earth orbit, or anywhere else in space, has limited capabilities today. Without rescue plans in place, today’s space travelers will journey at their own risk. Listen to experts George Nield (former FAA) and Grant Cates (Aerospace) talk to Kreston Barron of The Center for Space Policy & Strategy about how commercial spaceflight providers and US policymakers could help improve the safety of space travel. To read more on this topic, read Cates' newly released paper "The In-Space Rescue Capabilities Gap".