Safety In Space

Space travel is widely regarded as the pinnacle of man kinds technological achievements. The complexity of space travel processes and factors lends itself to a high risk environment consisting of many interlacing facets. So how does one implement standards in such an environment? It turns out that over 50 years after we first landed on the moon, it is still a struggle.

NASA stipulates that navigating risk control in a standard environment involved in space travel is a highly technical process. How does one foresee risks on a planet we have never encountered or atmospheres we are discovering for the first time? Risks are present at every stage of the mission, from terrestrial training, vehicle testing, launch, flight and landing.

So how does NASA address this challenge? They have an extensive and in depth research portfolio under constant management of its Human Research programme, amongst others. Because many of their controls are only learned through experience and potential loss, these agencies are constantly examining, preventing and mitigating risks. They employ a two fold system; risk informed decision making and continuous risk management process development.

Data utilized in calculating these risks includes experiment and test results, historical statistics and consulting with industry experts. Risks are also calculated, where possible, using quantifying and not qualitative methods. When a risk is considered too costly, alternative mission plans or technological standards may be implemented.

It is imperative that organisations facing the unknown have a strong knowledge base that is constantly being updated and supplemented as lessons are learned. Without this fundamental recording of data, there can be no progress in safety standards, especially those being implemented for the first time.