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INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SPACE SAFETY Space Safety © Issue 2 Winter 2012 Magazine

Revisiting the Liability Convention

China’s foundations in space

ISU SYMPOSIUM 2012 SPECIAL Sustainability of Space Activities Space Safety Winter Magazine 2012

Index

3 Cooperating with : Space Safety is the Key! 4 Psychology of ISU SYMPOSIUM 2012 5 Five Hundred Days in Isolation SPECIAL

SUSTAINABILITY OF 13 Revisiting the SPACE ACTIVITIES Liablity Convention

II Space Sustainability the ISU Way III A Year of Debris 6 China’s Foundations in Space IV Familiar Faces 8 5th IAASS Conference V New Players USAF General G. A. Feest 17 Water and Bombs Opening Speech VI 25 Years of International Space University 20 Suborbital Safety: A New 10 Astrophotography IAASS Techincal Committee and VII SSP 2012 Tackles Space Debris 22 Press Clips 12 Will Anyone Recover 13’s Plutonium? VIII Close Calls on the ISS 23 Advertising Placement

Winter Space Safety 2012 Magazine© Issue 2 Space Safety Magazine INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION Editorial Board and FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF Tribunale di Udine (Italy) SPACE SAFETY Scientific Committee n. 16/2011 27/10/2011 Tommaso Sgobba www.spacesafetymagazine.com Alex Soons [email protected] IAASS ISSF Philip Wallace Postbus 127 International Association International Editor-in-Chief 2200AC Noordwijk for the Advancement of Space Safety Andrea Gini The Netherlands Space Safety Foundation www.iaass.org www.spacesafetyfoundation.org Deputy Editor Merryl Azriel The Space Safety Magazine is a joint publication of the Deputy Manager International Association for Carmen Victoria Felix Advancement of Space Safety Creative Director (IAASS) and the International Kristhian Mason Space Safety Foundation (ISSF)

Cover pictures: Artist Concept of Space Debris - Credits: Kristhian Mason Central Region of the Milky Way - Credits: NASA, ESA, SSC, CXC, and STScI

2 Space Safety Editorial Winter Magazine 2012

Cooperating with China: Space Safety is the Key!

hina’s space activities and inten- nese docking system was successfully tions are seen by some military demonstrated on-orbit in 2011 with a Canalysts as not sufficiently trans- robotic mission. In 2012 further dock- parent, and the dual-use nature of most ing tests will be performed by Shen- compounds the un- zhou-9 and 10, one of which will have certainties and slows down cooperative at least one taikonaut on board. Fol- efforts. However, cooperation among all lowing Tiangong-1, a more advanced spacefaring nations is essential to en- space laboratory, dubbed Tiangong-2, sure safety and sustainability of space will be launched in 2013 followed by operations. Confidence and communi- Tiangong-3 in 2015. cation with China could be developed In the coming years two space sta- through a high profile and mutually ben- tions will be orbiting Earth, the ISS and eficial program. Such a program could the Chinese Tiangong, thus making be the development and demonstration possible for the first time an orbital res- of orbital rescue capabilities. cue system. A cooperative program can Back in 1990 an International Space- be launched to implement such capa- craft Rendezvous and Docking confer- bility on the model of the International ence was held at the NASA Johnson Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Space Center. The purpose was to ex- Office (ISMERLO) launched in 2004 to plore the need and international con- “establish endorsed procedures as the sensus for establishing a set of common international standard for submarine space systems design and operational escape and rescue using consultation standards which would allow docking and consensus among submarine op- and on-orbit interoperability in case of erating nations.” As for submarines, so emergency. The attributes for such in- too in space must the delay between an ternational standards were summarized accident and rescue attempt be short. as follows: Furthermore the institutionalized con- a) each party could implement them The Chinese dragon, symbol of Chinese tacts and increased transparency en- with their own systems and resourc- culture and Chinese folk religion. gendered by such cooperative orbital es; Credits: Nyo – Wikipedia rescue would fit with broader trends b) cooperation in such standards does toward increasing openness and could not require subordination (i.e. one into discussions with the appropriate constitute an important confidence- party does not have to buy parts of representatives of spacefaring nations building mechanism for wider coopera- the system from another); who have or plan to have crew trans- tion in making space operations safe c) success of one project or project el- portation systems capable of orbital and sustainable. ement is not required to ensure suc- flight or flight beyond low Earth orbit for According to the Chinese calendar, cess of the other; the purpose of agreeing on a common 2012 is the year of the Dragon, a sym- d) no one standard requires subordina- docking system standard”. bol of action, energy, leadership, vitality tion to another standard; In 2010, the international docking and the ultimate auspicious symbol of e) the functional requirements of the system standard (IDSS), based on the success and happiness. May the celes- standard can be implemented with a original androgynous docking system tial Dragon bring good luck to all space number of alternative technologies, (APAS) developed in the seventies as programs, and cooperation with China. since the definition of the standards part of the Apollo- Test Program, does not require the transfer of tech- finally became a reality through the ini- nology. tiative of the countries participating in the International pro- In 2008, the objective of developing gram. Although China was not involved orbital rescue capabilities was restated in this standardization effort, the Chi- by the US Congress in the NASA Au- nese had already chosen as docking thorization Act of that year (H.R. 6063). system for their Shenzhou vehicle and In fact, Sect. 406, “Exploration Crew for the Tiangong-1 space station a vari- Rescue”, stated that: “In order to maxi- ant called APAS-89, which is the same mize the ability to rescue used on the International Space Station whose space vehicles have become (ISS) and is compatible with the new in- Tommaso Sgobba disabled, the Administrator shall enter ternational docking standard. The Chi- IAASS President

3 Space Safety Book Store Winter Magazine 2012 Psychology of By Merryl Azriel Space Exploration Contemporary Research in Historical Perspective

example of an analog environment, dis- screen cosmonaut candidates, but also cussed extensively in Dr. Sheryl L. Bish- to monitor their performance on an on- op’s Chapter 3 “From Earth Analogs to going basis, utilizing techniques such Space: Getting There from Here”. as voice analysis during space mis- Analog studies are a fundamental tool sions. Other national agencies, notably in psychological research on long du- ESA and JAXA, have followed ’s ration space missions because of the lead in this regard. lack of statistically significant numbers In Chapter 4, “Patterns in Crew-Ini- of astronauts and cosmonauts who tiated Photography of Earth from the have endured extended stints in space. ISS”, Julie A. Robinson, Office of the Bishop points out the need to assess ISS Program Scientist in NASA JSC, analogs specifically from a behavioral and her collaborators present original perspective. As an example, she ques- research exploring the therapeutic ef- tions the appropriateness of Palmer fects of crew-initiated Earth photog- Station, Antarctica, as a psychological raphy on crew psyche. Although often analog, where researchers spend the reported anecdotally, this is one of the majority of their time conducting their first times objective research in this experiments in solitary, in stark contrast arena has been presented. The authors to the ISS, where crew members are particularly raise the question of what challenged to find time away from their substitute activity may be appropriate colleagues at any time of day or night. for deep space missions in which crew The book explores the history of Psy- will have no view of Earth or any other chology in the space programs of the planet for months at a time. Edited by Douglas A. Vakoch and former USSR. Ac- Noticeably missing from Psychology NASA, 2011 cording to the authors, US reluctance to of Space Exploration is any discussion hardcover, 264 pp., illus. permit psychologists to gather data on related to sexuality. Especially on long ISBN 978-0-16-088358-3 astronauts’ performance, for fear of tar- duration missions, this is an issue that US$27.00 nishing NASA’s image and “Right Stuff” is bound to arise, yet space agencies veneer, is slowly changing, but the US seem reluctant – at least publicly – to ublished under the NASA His- has a long way to go before reaching investigate and discuss the subject at tory series in July 2011, the book norms established by the USSR in us- all. In this regard Psychology of Space Pexplores the current thinking on ing psychological methods not only to Exploration toes the mark. psychological issues affecting space flight experience, analyzes the history of behavioral studies relating to space and publishes original research on the therapeutic effects of photographing Earth from space and managing nega- tive interactions. The book was edited by Dr. Douglas A. Vakoch, a licensed psychologist in the state of California, professor of Clinical Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies and director of Interstellar Message Composition at the SETI Institute. This publication takes place at a time when a crewed mission is under scrutiny, and more attention is focusing on the ability of astronauts and cosmo- nauts to withstand the psychological pressures of an 18-36 month space mission. The recently completed Mars 500 experiment, focusing on the effects NASA Tracy Caldwell Dyson observing Earth from the Cupola module of the of isolation and limited and uniform so- International Space Station. Earth observation and crew-initiated photography of Earth ciety in a confined living space, is an from the ISS is regarded as therapeutic for ISS crews. - Credits: NASA

4 Space Safety News Winter Magazine 2012

By Carmen Felix Five Hundred Days in Isolation

ars500 is an international space analog study that simu- We had to be more autonomous Mlated for the first time a full du- “ ration round trip to Mars. Based in Mos- and make decisions that are cow, the study was conducted by ESA and Russia’s Institute of Biomedical usually made by Mission Control„ Problems. The project started back in 2007 with a short simulation to test the facilities and operational procedures. confined environment far away from and for the rest of the crew he would The first long term study was conducted Earth is a condition that has never been have ‘died’ for the purpose of the simu- successfully in 2009, with a crew of six experienced: Mars500 tried to recreate lation.” members spending a total of 105 days it on Earth. “To deal with isolation, we On one occasion the Mars500 crew isolated. The goal was to prepare for kept busy as much as we could,” says experienced what they thought to be the 520 day isolation study, which was Diego, “we tried to balance time alone a real emergency: the complete loss of ultimately conducted June 2010 to No- and with the crew, exploiting the scarce electrical power. “We weren’t expect- vember 2011. communication channels with the exte- ing it, so the psychologists registered During the mission, two Europeans, rior to their full extent.” the real reactions of the crew to such one Chinese, and three were The crew had a daily routine to per- an emergency,” says Diego. “Even if we hermetically isolated in a spaceship form, just like astronauts and cosmo- weren’t directly trained for this specific mockup. They were monitored and their nauts on the International Space Sta- situation, we had a checklist of tasks to psychological, medical, and physical tions, but no real-time communication: be performed immediately,” he recalls. signs were recorded. We met Diego Ür- “We had to be more autonomous and “This, together with pre-mission team- bina, a 28 years old Italian-Colombian make decisions that are usually made work training and respect for chain of electronics engineer and space science by Mission Control,” says Diego. Emer- command helped us to quickly do what specialist who took part in the experi- gency response was part of the training: had to be done.” After the situation was ment, to discuss how this experience “two of the members were doctors who under control, Diego and the crew found will help the scientific community to pre- could take care of almost any medical it hard to believe that the emergency pare for a real mission to Mars. problem in case of a health emergency,” was part of a simulation: “Hiding ‘bad “The human factor is one of the keys Diego explains. “They had telemedicine news’ to avoid stressing the crew is not that needs to be fully understood before equipment, but in case of life threaten- something unheard of,” he adds, rec- undertaking a human mission to Mars,” ing conditions of one crewmember, the ommending, on the contrary, a policy of Diego told us. Prolonged isolation in a mission would have been over for him, complete transparency. “It is crucial that the crew does not get divided and that they can have a quick reaction even in an emergency that can suddenly happen in the middle of the most monotonous situation imaginable,” he concludes. On November 4, 2011, the Mars500 crew finally went back home, leaving a legacy of medical data on how the crew bodies and minds dealt with isola- tion. “Mars500 gave us a lot of empiri- cal in how to deal with such an extreme situation, and helped us to for- mulate guidelines for prolonged manned deep space missions,” says Diego. How far into the future is an actual mission to Mars? “Our current technological capabilities are adequate for a mission beyond low Earth orbit in the next few years,” says Diego, “it could happen soon if international collaboration con- The Mars500 crew. From left to right, back row: Wang Yue (China), Alexandr Smoleevskiy solidates.” What could be improved in a (Russia), and Diego Urbina (ESA). Front row: Sukhrob Kamolov (Russia), Alexey Sitev Mars500 follow-up? “I’d make it happen (Russia), and Romain Charles (ESA). in space”.

5 Space Safety News Winter Magazine 2012

By Morris Jones

China’s Foundations in Space

here is China headed in space? It’s a question that’s China’s autonomous approach Wbeing asked more often than “ ever before. We have witnessed the to the foundations of its program launch of China’s first space labora- tory in the same year that the USA has places it in an enviable position„ retired its fleet. In 2012, China is expected to launch two teams of astronauts to the Tiangong-1 labo- be capable of receiving multiple space- sample-return mission will land. There ratory, while the US will continue to craft dockings. Tiangong is a precursor will probably be a sequel to this mis- hitch rides aboard Russian for the ultimate short-term goal, a large sion too. China lost its first Mars probe, for years to come. China has a long modular space station that should be Yinghuo-1, when the Russian Phobos- way to go before it can truly match the launched around the year 2020. Al- Grunt mission failed to leave Earth or- capabilities of the US, and though this will not match the capabili- bit in November. But China is already its technology base in robotic space- ties of the International Space Station, planning more ambitious missions to flight still lags other nations. But it’s a it will probably exceed the performance Mars that will be launched by Chinese solid program that’s moving ahead at a of the Russian space station of the . steady pace, while some other nations last century. China is also continuing its strong seem to be in retreat. China is also working on an ambi- programs in Earth Observation (often China has outlined its human space- tious lunar and planetary program. Fol- with international partners), as well as flight plans for the near future. The lowing in the wake of two successful navigation and communications sat- Tiangong program will see three space lunar orbiters, China will land its first ellites. That’s what we can expect for laboratories placed in orbit this de- spacecraft on the around 2013, the decade ahead. Beyond 2020, the cade. Each one is expected to be more and deploy a small robot rover. We can agenda is less certain. But there’s one sophisticated than the last. The final expect a repeat of this mission a year important factor to notice in China’s laboratory, Tiangong-3, is expected to or two later, followed by the next ma- space program. It’s very strong on be a major step forward, and should jor flight around 2017, when a robotic building foundations. 

An artist’s rendering of Tiangong, the Chinese space laboratory. - Credits: Junior Miranda www.astronautix.com

6 Space Safety News Winter Magazine 2012

an orbital mission. Eventually, it should be possible for Chinese astronauts to land on the surface. The logo of China’s Lunar Exploration Program features two human footprints on the Moon. Despite these clues some people still deny that China aspires to human lunar missions! China and International Cooperation he most difficult question centers Taround China’s potential partner- ship with the US. This is a complex and controversial issue. Right now, there’s simply no chance of any serious coop- eration. Any change in this will depend on politics, strategic issues, economics, and the overall direction of spaceflight. It seems unrealistic to expect that the two programs will remain totally disen- gaged forever, but bridging the gap will The launch of Shenzhou-5 on a Long March 2F . - Credits: AAxanderr/Wikipedia take time and a lot of work. China’s astronaut corps remains off- limits to foreigners for the moment, but China’s China is developing a new space- there’s a good chance that guest astro- port at Wenchang on Hainan Island, nauts will eventually fly to China’s space Independent which will be the nation’s most south- station. Where will they come from? It is ern launch site. This will allow rockets conceivable that China will invite astro- Access to Space to gain a greater kick from the Earth’s nauts from closely allied nations such rotation, and also allow the as Pakistan, and possibly from nearby hina has a long history of interna- to be serviced by sea. Wenchang will states in Asia. Ctional cooperation in spaceflight, continue to be supplemented by other The recent successful docking of but it retains control over the most major launch sites such as Xichang the Tiangong-1 space laboratory with critical elements of its program. China and Jiuquan, which carry out the bulk the uncrewed Shenzhou-8 spacecraft builds and operates its own launch of China’s launches. Wenchang focused global attention on China’s sites, launch vehicles, human space- will play host to China’s most ambitious space program, showing that China has craft, space laboratory modules and plans in rocketry to date. so much to demonstrate to the world. . These are the foundations The gradual development of the Long Sadly, China’s obsession with secre- of a first-rate space program. Without March 5 series of modular launch ve- cy for much of its space program has them, a nation is not completely in con- hicles is another major foundation for hamstrung much of its potential appeal. trol of its destiny in space. China’s long-term program. Flying from It has contributed to fears and suspi- There’s a lesson for America and Wenchang, these rockets will be used to cions of Chinese spaceflight. China’s other nations, even those that work in launch China’s space station and send relative lack of openness is also a major solid international coalitions for space- larger probes to the Moon and the plan- barrier to any future cooperation with flight. The loss or omission of any of ets. Launch systems are the first step the US. Opening the program to wider these basic foundations is potentially in any space mission, and a lack of ca- examination would certainly help the catastrophic, and can place an entire pability is an obvious problem. China’s Chinese, as well as the world at large: program in jeopardy. The current lack of pursuit of advanced rockets gives them it would make a great space program any indigenous US crew transfer vehi- the option to pursue a variety of different not only look better, but actually mature cle is shocking, especially when Amer- objectives in space. It is probably fair to and become even greater. ica seeks to continue its major role in say that, behind closed doors, China is the International Space Station. already considering how to send astro- China’s autonomous approach to the nauts to the Moon. This could be done foundations of its program places it in with an Earth Orbit Rendezvous strat- an enviable position. It does not need to egy. A Shenzhou spacecraft could dock Dr. Morris Jones is an Australian space- wrestle with cumbersome international in Earth orbit with another rocket stage, flight analyst and writer. Views and opin- partnerships, but can still gain from possibly launched by a Long March 5 ions expressed in this article are those other programs when there’s a clear rocket. This would then propel Shen- of the author, and do not reflect neces- advantage. zhou on a circumlunar flight, or possibly sarily those of the IAASS and the ISSF.

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th By Maj. Gen. 5 IAASS Conference Gregory A. Feest USAF General G. A. Feest Opening Speech

he 5th Conference of the International Association for Advancement in Space Safety (IAASS), titled “A Safer Space for a Safer World” was held in Versailles, France, on October 17-19, 2011. The conference, attended by space safety ex- Tperts from 25 countries, covered the major topics connected to space safety, from designing safety into space vehicles to launch range safety, from environmental impacts of space operations to space debris mitigation and removal. The following opening speech was given by Maj. Gen. Gregory A. Feest, US Air Force Chief of Safety.

and partnership foster increasing ben- Safe operation in and efits to national and global economies, “ security, international cooperation, sci- through space is one of entific discovery, environmental protec- the main ingredients for tion and overall quality of life on Earth. economic, commercial U.S. Air Force’s and military success„ Commitment to Maj Gen. Gregory A. Feest. Credits: US Air Force Space Safety ood Morning Ladies and Gentle- space is not the providence of any par- should also highlight the U.S. Air Gmen, ticular nation, I am happy to report that IForce’s commitment to space safety. It is my privilege to attend the fifth In- the recent release of several important Since the Space Safety Division was ternational Association for the Advance- documents by the United States Gov- created at the Air Force Safety Center ment of Space Safety Conference, and ernment, including the National Space in 2004, there have been no personnel address this distinguished body of sci- Policy, signed by the President a year injuries or deaths associated with a U.S. entists and space professionals. On ago, the Space Posture Review and Na- Air Force space mishap. We continue to behalf of the U.S. Air Force and the Air tional Security Space Strategy, issued develop space safety policy for the U.S. Force Safety Center, I’d like to com- by U.S. Department of Defense, and the Air Force and have been working toward mend the IAASS and its President Mr. Space Governance Review, prepared many of the same goals I’m speaking Tommaso Sgobba for organizing such by the Secretary of the U.S. Air Force. about today. In fact, my space safety an important and dedicated internation- These documents encourage greater division, who is represented here today, al space safety forum. The IAASS has collaboration among space-faring na- has been collaborating and contributing taken measurable strides in promoting tions and the safe and responsible use to the aspirations and goals of IAASS space safety awareness worldwide. of space. No doubt, such collaboration since its inception.  Safe operation in and through space is one of the main ingredients for eco- nomic, commercial and military suc- cess. Thank you all for your unwavering and tireless efforts. This week, scientists and the space professionals from all over the world are gathered here to network and ad- dress many of the prevailing challenges in the space arena. Many of these chal- lenges are complex, multidisciplinary and culturally varied in nature. They include topics in commercial , space communications and global commerce, space nuclear auxiliary power, space debris mitigation and removal, and environmental reme- diation just to mention a few. Many of these challenges are universal, and re- Hybrid vehicles operating as aircraft and spacecraft as the newly announced Stratolaunch quire international attention and solu- system will soon increase launch and re-entry traffic through the shared airspace. tions. Recognizing the mere fact that Credits: Stratolaunch

8 Space Safety Documents Winter Magazine 2012

Such tremendous growth in space enterprise, and All nations the crossover with the “ aviation discipline, de- have the right to mands institutionalizing a formal aerospace safety use and explore training and education to our space professionals. space, but this Clearly, such training is imperative to maintaining right must safe air and space, as it is the dissemination to avia- be met with tion of data of common interest, such as space responsibility„ weather forecast and alerts on falling space de- bris. educational efforts as well. With our The safety of the avia- endorsement and support of two U.S. tion operations in the na- universities, we are already committed tional and international to initiate Space Safety programs in airspace, the safety of conjunction with the already accredited launch, on-orbit and re- Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering entry operations, space programs next year. Senior Scientists debris and the sustain- from Space Safety Division contributed ability of the space envi- with the IAASS to the “Safety Design of ronment, the integration Space Operations” textbook, to be pub- of space and aviation sit- lished by Elsevier in 2012. uational awareness, will USAF General G. A. Feest presenting at the IAASS plenary require space and avia- session. - Credits: John Conley tion professionals with Final Remarks a solid background in As the commercialization of space and system safety engineering, and knowl- e are living in an exciting and very human spaceflight flourishes, the IAASS edge of space safety regulations and Wchallenging phase of deep-space scientific community should endeavor standards. Unfortunately, today aero- exploration. Therefore, we need to pro- toward the long-term goal of preserving space engineering programs do not mote the responsible, peaceful and safe the continued use of space for all future offer courses in space safety design use of space. All nations have the right humankind. This forum is uniquely quali- criteria, methods and safety analyses to use and explore space, but this right fied and equipped to effectively develop techniques, space safety regulations must be met with responsibility. It is my and socialize scientifically based safety and standards. I’d like to commend the profound hope that for the greater good procedures to ensure the continued IAASS’s and International Space Safe- of space safety, you will come togeth- safety of space missions. A document ty Foundation’s (ISSF) for recognizing er to collaborate in solving challenges similar to principles and safety tech- this critical void and their efforts to fill we are facing in space today. Challeng- niques prepared by the International this gap. es that require international coopera- Civil Aviation Organization is a worthy This year in Washington DC, the ISSF tion, like space situational awareness goal, and would harmonize operational organized the first workshop on creat- and surveillance, debris monitoring procedures to unify and integrate space ing an academic certificate program in and removal, environmental remedia- surveillance and situational awareness space safety, proposing to fill the space/ tion monitoring and sustainability, and guidelines world-wide, just as the ICAO aerospace safety educational gap with preservation of the space environment. does for the aviation community. an initial Graduate Certificate Program. This conference should create a col- We all expect that world-known ex- laborative environment among nations, perts from academia, space agencies while preserving the national interests Education in and industry will contribute as faculty of each, and adopt approaches for safe and lecturers for the International In- activity in space. It is our obligation and Space Safety stitute Space Safety (IISS) educational our responsibility to protect this fragile programs. Space safety systems en- ecosystem called space, right for the e all are excited to observe the gineering must be learned not only by benefit of future generations. My space Wdevelopment of commercial hu- those who will begin a specialist career safety team will continue to partner with man space transportation, commercial as safety engineers and managers, but you in this endeavor. space stations, and hybrid vehicles also by those who will follow a career in I wish you all a productive and enjoy- operating as aircraft and spacecraft for space project management, or in aero- able conference. suborbital flights. These developments space systems engineering and opera- Thank you. will generate in the following decade tions. I am proud to say that my Space an increase in and re-en- Safety Division at the U.S. Air Force Maj Gen. Gregory A. Feest, try traffic through the shared airspace. Safety Center is championing these US Air Force

9 Space Safety Profile Winter Magazine 2012

by Andrea Gini Astrophotography

and Space Debris

In this field it’s important “ to be able to control a telescope by hand and to improve your tracking technique„

n November 29, photographs first of a Space of the stranded Russian probe Shuttle.” He then de- OPhobos-Grunt, lost in Earth’s or- veloped his technique bit right after launch, began appearing throughout the ’90s , online. Even as ESA and taking “ordinary” pic- were struggling to regain control of the tures of : “no- spacecraft, the images, taken from the body ever discussed ground with an amateur telescope, went trying to photograph viral, ending up in website, newspaper, a spacecraft from the and press releases all around the world. ground back then,” he It was the latest achievement of Ralf explains, “it was just Vandebergh, a freelance scientific jour- impossible with ama- nalist based in the Netherlands with a teur instruments.” passion for astrophotography that dates That started to back to his childhood. We contacted change around the Ralf to learn more about his work, his year 2000: “some am- Ralf Vandebergh specializes in manual tracking of small space technique, and his current projects. ateurs, especially in objects. Note the camera attached to the telescope. , managed to Credits: Ralf Vandebergh capture images of the An Early Passion ISS with cheap resources,” Ralf says. himself for the appointment by ready- “In a few months, the technique was ing the equipment and preadjusting to alf developed his passion for astro- developed far enough to allow amateurs the correct aim: “I wait for the object, Rphotography very early: “In 1985 to do this, and my old interest in space- looking at a precise point in the sky,” Wubbo Ockels, the first Dutch astro- flight picked up again.” The equipment Ralf explains. “When an object is bright naut, flew on the Space Shuttle,” he used to capture images is actually very like the ISS, you can spot it with the recalls. “Pass-times were mentioned in affordable: “a classic Newtonian tele- naked-eye,” he says, “when it is faint, I the newspaper, so at age 9 I saw my scope with a 10 inch aperture,” explains use a bright star along the object’s path Ralf. “A normal video camera is mount- to pick it up.” Then, the actual record- ed on the eyepiece, and tracking is fully ing starts: “Once the object is in view of manual using a well-aligned tracking the tracking scope at low magnification, scope.” Getting a larger telescope is I keep it centered on the crosshair as not a priority for Ralf: “In this field it’s well as I can, and start recording,” he more important to be able to control a says. telescope by hand and to improve your A typical session yields hundreds of tracking technique,” he says. frames. “I compare as many frames as The first step to capturing a space possible, to see if I can combine some object image is to check its orbit using of them to get an improved signal-to- software like Calsky, in order to find a noise ratio,” says Ralf. “This technique favorable pass: “Sometimes it is neces- is widely used in planetary imaging, but Beautiful colors reflecting on the ISS. The sary to compare data from different pro- it is less effective in satellite imaging be- striking blue color, especially visible on grams to get better predictions,” says cause you never manage to capture a metallic surfaces, is reflected Earth light. Ralf. Once a favorable observing win- large amount of frames in the few use- Credits: Ralf Vandebergh dow has been detected, Ralf prepares ful seconds of a pass.” The best 

10 Space Safety Profile Winter Magazine 2012

One of my best Astrophotography “moments was and Space Debris when they sent my images up to the ISS when the STS-119 shuttle crew was up there„ Astronaut Steve Bowen (STS-13) photographed during an EVA. Note the Canadarm, the helmet and the backpack. - Credits: Ralf Vandebergh

frames are those taken when the satel- The most interesting part of Ralf’s sian probe which was lost in an lite is high enough above the horizon: work involves small objects: “Most as- elliptical Earth orbit in 1972,” he says. “There is a fast shift in the angle, so the trophotographers don’t really go be- “This probe was part of the se- details change their position slightly yond ISS imaging,” says Ralf. “The ISS ries of the early ’70s, and it was lost during a pass,” he explains. is an interesting object, thanks to its similarly to the more recent Phobos- size and detail, and it is relatively easy Grunt,” he says. “The project has been to capture, thanks to its brightness,” he running for about 18 months now. I took Highlights and explains. “My current interest is trying the first pictures in summer 2010, but to register the rotational or tumbling not when the probe was in its perigee, Future Plans motion of free floating objects such as so there is margin to get better pictures space debris,” he continues, “I would in the future,” he says. alf displays some pictures from his say this has become my specialization, How does Ralf relate with his fellow Rcollection recorded during STS- and it is what led me to gain interest in astrophotographers? “We are a small 119, the Discovery mission which de- issues of space safety!” community,” says Ralf, “just a few in- livered the large Integrated Truss Seg- Satellite imaging itself is a very new dividuals, and sometimes there is a ment S6. “It was the most successful field: “There are just a few photogra- certain degree of jealousy among ama- mission I ever captured,” he recalls. phers who are doing this,” says Ralf, teurs doing the same imaging.” “One of my best moments was when “imaging of smaller satellites is still a they sent one of my images up to the very new and pioneering field in astro- ISS when STS-119 shuttle crew was up photography, and I’m glad to be on the there: they just had attached the last forefront of it, finding ways to push the Ralf Vandebergh is a freelance journal- big solar panel and I was able to take envelope further every time.” ist and astrophotographer based in the a picture of it from Earth a few days Ralf is currently working on another Netherlands. To see more of his pic- before they would undock the Space interesting project: “One of my long- tures, visit his website: Shuttle and see it for themselves.” An- running projects is Cosmos 482, a Rus- http://ralfvandebergh.startje.be/ other successful image, this time from STS-113, was the picture of astro- naut Steve Bowen during an EVA: “in the picture you can see the astronaut ‘hanging’ from the Canadarm, with de- tails of the helmet and the backpack,” he points out. More recently, Ralf’s work achieved exposure with photographs of UARS, ROSAT, and Phobos-Grunt, which ended up in official ESA, DLR and Roscosmos press releases: “It gives much more satisfaction to see your images published in the professional community,” he says, “these people look seriously at image content to find the correct interpretation, instead of just surveying them rapidly as most The Russian Martian probe Phobos-Grunt. Note the tanks, the support frame and the solar people do.” panels. - Credits: Ralf Vandebergh

11 Space Safety News Winter Magazine 2012

By Matthew Van Dusen, Will Anyone Recover Editor, Txchnologist.com

Apollo 13’s Plutonium?

omewhere among the jagged trenches of the South Pacific sits Sa graphite fuel cask containing 3.9 kg of plutonium from . The fate of the radioactive plutonium-238 has long been overshadowed by the successful return of the three NASA as- tronauts on board the ill-fated mission. The plutonium was supposed to fuel the System for Nuclear Auxiliary Power, or SNAP-27 Radioisotope Thermoelec- tric Generator (RTG), designed to pow- er a set of experiments on the lunar sur- face. But after an explosion crippled the craft and forced the crew to abandon plans of a lunar landing, the plutonium became yet another problem for mis- sion control. Officials from NASA con- fidently told The New York Times that the biggest risk was that the 40-pound generator might hit someone when President Nixon (right) presenting the nation’s highest civilian award to the Apollo 13 it fell to Earth. “It will keep a few fish crew (left to right, J. L. Swigert, F. W. Haise, J. A. Lovell). - Credits: NASA warm,” a NASA official said. The Atomic Energy Commission, on the other hand, we know, slipped beneath the waves Over the years, the plutonium cask, conceded the slight possibility that it and came to rest 6 to 9 kilometers deep far out of sight, has fueled two contra- could become ground into dust and in the Tonga Trench, one of the deep- dictory positions on the safety of RTGs dispersed. est areas in the ocean. Subsequent for deep space missions. For NASA, NASA learned its lessons about engi- testing by the U.S. Department of En- its safe return to Earth proved the ef- neering the fuel casks the hard way: in ergy has shown no spike in background fectiveness of their safety engineering. 1964, the Transit-5-BN mission aborted radiation. Not surprisingly, NASA has “We recognize that the Apollo 13 [RTG and the RTG burned up upon reentry no desire to go looking for the small system] worked,” Dudzinski said. “Fol- above Madagascar, in keeping with cask, even with advances in submers- low on RTGs were based on that design its design. Traces of plutonium were ible technology that would make such and improved on that design.” found in the area months later. In 1968, a mission at least technically feasible. Critics have taken different les- the Nimbus B-1 was “I don’t think that anyone has seriously sons from the untimely plunges of the aborted soon after takeoff from Van- considered that because of the cost RTGs. In 1997, a group of safety ex- denberg Air Force Base and the plutoni- of recovery,” said Leonard Dudzinski, perts, including physicist Dr. Michio um from the SNAP-19B2 RTG plunged a NASA program executive who deals Kaku, warned that 32 kg of plutonium into 300 feet of water off the California with radioisotope power systems. contained in the Saturn-bound Cassini coast, with no release of radiation. Indeed, NASA is trying to source ad- satellite posed a greater danger than Apollo 13’s SNAP-27 fuel, as far as ditional plutonium 238 for its future NASA would acknowledge, but ulti- deep space missions – the U.S. no lon- mately, their warnings did not prevent- ger produces the isotope and Russia ed the mission from happening. has proved to be an unreliable source – but the useful life of the Apollo 13’s plutonium has expired. The plutonium poses little danger to the environment: the corrosion resistant Matthew Van Dusen is a New York-based cladding should withstand seawater journalist. He is the Editor of Txchnolo- for approximately 870 years, ten times gist.com, a publication sponsored by the plutonium’s half life. According to General Electric. Views and opinions NASA, the plutonium itself was in oxide expressed in this article are those of the Fred Haise extracts the fuel element for form and was both chemically and bio- author, and do not reflect necessarily the SNAP-26 RTG during training. logically inert when it plunged into the those of IAASS and ISSF, publishers of Credits: NASA ocean. the Space Safety Magazine.

12 Will Anyone Recover

Apollo 13’s Plutonium?

II Space Sustainability the ISU Way by Tereza Pultarova

III A Year of Debris by Megan Kane

IV Familiar Faces by Merryl Azriel

V New Players by Merryl Azriel

VI 25 Years of International Space University by Tereza Pultarova ISU SYMPOSIUM VII SSP 2012 2012 Tackles SPECIAL Space Debris Sustainability of by Merryl Azriel Space Activities VIII Close Calls on the ISS www.isunet.edu/annualsymposium by Megan Kane Space Safety Winter Magazine 2012 Space

Sustainabilityby Tereza Pultarova the ISU Way

nternational, Intercultural and Interdisciplinary - the 3Is of the Space debris is a very topical issue, IInternational Space University - is also “ the philosophy behind the ISU’s annual and a very important one Symposium. This year’s Symposium, the 16th ” since inception, will once again bring together to explore a chosen theme.” and October 2011, and with the reentry of lawyers, economists, engineers, scientists, The theme of space sustainability comes from the stranded Phobos-Grunt probe expected and other space professionals to discuss involvement with the working group “Long by early 2012, space threats are becoming a a common theme: sustainability of space Term Sustainability of Activities,” significant public concern. “It is a very topical activities. The Space Safety Magazine paid created two years ago within the United issue, and a very important one,” says Prof. a visit to the Symposium Organizing Chair, Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of the Farrow, “we looked at space security in a very Professor John Farrow, to learn more about Outer Space (UN COPUOS). “In the context broad sense four years ago,” he explains. the upcoming event. of space activities, sustainability means “Coincidently at that time, just a few days Sitting in his office surrounded by his favorite sustainable use of outer space for peaceful before we held the Symposium on Space for satellite models, Prof. Farrow reveals how the purposes for the benefit of all countries,” a Safe and Secure World, there was an in idea to create a conference on the grounds of explains Prof. Farrow, “It covers things like orbit collision between two satellites which ISU emerged. Although not a faculty member threats from orbital debris, , gave rise to a huge increase of debris in orbit. at the time, he knows the story well. The birth deliberate events such as anti-satellite Since then, the subject of debris has become of the ISU Masters program in 1995 brought attacks as well as cyber attacks on spacecraft even more a matter of interest.” together George Haskell, ISU Vice-President at or potential threats that are in space.” The organization of a Symposium is a long the time, and Michael Rycroft, a key supporter These subjects form the backbone of the and complex process: “we try to vary the of the Masters program. “They decided to Symposium session topics. topics from one year to another in order to introduce an international Symposium, which The issue of space debris and hazards related give some variety,” explains Prof. Farrow. “It would form part of the students’ timetable,” to uncontrolled space objects has recently is also important to us that the topics should explains Prof. Farrow, “the Symposium was received widespread attention. With the be of general interest, and that they have an intended to attract an international audience reentry of UARS and ROSAT in September academic content for our students,” he says. Sometimes the process is trickier than one might expect: “in the past we’ve been in the situation that we had to change our topic and even the date of our Symposium in order not to clash with another conference that would steal most of our participants,” he says. According to Prof. Farrow, there is something that sets the ISU Symposium apart: “There is a degree of uniqueness about what we do. Living up to ISU’s 3Is philosophy, we try to bring everybody into the same room – the engineers, lawyers, economists – each contributing to and sharing the same common topic,” he says. “The unique feature of our conference is that the great majority of our sessions are held in plenary,” he adds, “everybody shares, contributes to the ensuing discussion either in the conference center itself, over lunch or during other social activities we organize in Strasbourg, a very beautiful and ancient city that definitely helps John Farrow, Organizing Chair of the annual ISU Symposium since 2005. Credits: Shripathi Hadigal Rao to attract more people to our symposia.”

II Space Safety Winter Magazine 2012 A Year

of Debris by Megan Kane Infographic by Kristhian Mason

he Space community has considered space debris a serious threat to space operations, but only recently has the public T become aware of the magnitude of threat. The reentry of large space stations, like on July 1979 or Mir on March 2001, 2012 were of course headline news, but ordinary debris have not been thoroughly considered – until now. While only one person has reportedly been hit by a piece of debris returning to Earth, millions November learned that there is the potential to be hit by falling debris on a Phobos-Grunt Reentry Russian Space web regular basis, as spent rocket stages, satellites, and other space On November 13th, the objects fall to Earth every week. The public at large was mainly Russian Martian probe unaware of this, until two massive satellites came down within Phobos-Grunt stalled in weeks of one another – one largely anticipated, one not. And LEO with its tank filled with while the year 2011 is reaching its end, the failure of the Russian 10 tons of hydrazine. Due to its current mass and altitude, Phobos-Grunt probe, carrying 10 tons of hydrazine and a capsule of the 14.6 ton probe is expected radioactive cobalt, will be a dangerous and controversial opening to reenter the atmosphere in to a new year in space debris. mid-January

October ROSAT Reentry ROSAT, with its massive DLR mirror, reentered Earth’s atmosphere over the Bay of Bengal on the 23rd of October after 21 years in orbit. (DLR)

September UARS Reentry The 6 ton NASA Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) fell to the Earth near midnight of September 23rd after 20 years in orbit. (Orbital Debris News V15 Iss4, October 2011)

NASA April ISS close call On April 2nd, the ISS th performed the 12 avoidance NASA-JPL maneuver since the start of its life, the 5th maneuver in the last 2.5 years. 2011 (Orbital Debris News V15 Iss3, July 2011) III Space Safety Winter Magazine 2012 Familiar

Faces by Merryl Azriel

he 16th ISU Symposium will consist with collaborator Angela Peura, George Tal Dekel. They will address potential cyber of six sessions covering the topics Washington University, he will recommend attack vectors on satellites and ground T of International Perspectives, Space usage of low technology elements to stations, review cyber attack case studies Debris, Space Weather, Other Threats (cyber provide robustness and redundancy that and present options for mitigation and attacks, anti-satellite weapons, and space can safeguard existing communications and avoidance of such vulnerabilities. Their militarization), Cooperative Approaches to control systems. They will be presenting in talk will be presented in Session 4: Other Improvement, and Looking Forward. Several Session 6: Looking Forward and Outward. Threats to Space Activities. Levi and Dekel ISU supporters will be presenting their work will present a poster proposing a National in February: here are highlights from a few Reinhold Ewald, ESA astronaut and regular Space Resilience Index to fill gaps in of them. ISU lecturer will support the need for a existing indices and provide a holistic view long term human orbital outpost, such of recoverability of national space resources Michael Rycroft of CAESAR Consultancy, as the ISS, for the sustainability of Space in case of a disruptive event. a regular lecturer at ISU and resident utilization. Together with fellow veteran faculty member from 1995 to 1999, will be ESA astronaut Christer Fuglesang, Ewald Jeffrey Apeldoorn, ISU SSP 2009 graduate discussing the limitations of space weather will discuss how the success of ISS has now working at OHB-System AG, will present forecasting today and what the future holds been enabled by its international nature, in Session 2: Space Debris, along with for forecasting not only in near-Earth, but which provides sustained political support, an international research team on space around the Moon and Mars as well. redundancy, and complementarity, a mission protection. Strategies discussed combination that cannot be achieved by will include spacecraft shielding, spacecraft Norma Crosby, Chair of the ESA Space any single actor. Ewald and Fuglesang also self-protection, mission optimization and Weather Working Team, attended the SSP see potential for ISS to serve as a planetary redundancy, and options for maintenance in 1992 and served as Assistant SSP Director mission analog in next generation space and repair of damaged craft. These in 2000. She will be presenting in Session 3: mission research. They will present in strategies will be illustrated utilizing Space Weather, along with Michael Rycroft. Session 4: Other Threats to Space Activities. specific satellite case studies.

Jim Burke, JPL retiree, Ram Levi, ISU Space Studies Program David Kendall, Chair of the Inter-Agency representative, and long time supporter (SSP) 2011 graduate and founder of Space Debris Committee and Director of Science of ISU will be discussing ways to avoid Security Facebook page, is currently a in the (CSA), a situation in which a disaster results in research fellow at Yuval Ne’eman Workshop will be Chairing the first Space Debris loss of communication between Earth for Science, Technology and Security at session. Kendall is a former chair of the and the existing satellite network. Along Tel Aviv University, along with collaborator ISU Academic Council and served as SSP Director in 1999.

Former ISU President Joe Pelton, Vice President of the Michael Simpsons International Space Safety Foundation, is poses with Michael a former Dean of ISU. He will be speaking Rycroft, a key in Session 5: Cooperative Approaches to supporter of ISU Improved Space Sustainability on space since its inception. debris remediation efforts. He will propose Credits: A. Gini creation of a monetary fund, paid into by space actors, and paid out to licensed operators authorized to remove Space debris on behalf of current and former Space actors.

Kai-Uwe Schrogl, head of ESA Policies Department and former Director of ESPI, will be chairing Session 5. Schrogl is a regular lecturer at ISU and frequently chairs symposia sessions. He is an expert on and situational awareness programs.

IV Space Safety Winter Magazine 2012 New

by Merryl Azriel Poster session from ISU Symposium 2007 Players Credits: ISU

any more faces, familiar and sector and they will want to protect their what tools and methods they are pursuing otherwise, will be presenting their investments. It poses some interesting to achieve this.” Christopher Johnson, Mresearch at the Symposium poster possibilities.” a lawyer by profession, is particularly session, which will span the three days looking forward to the Symposium’s of the Symposium. Among these will be Christopher Johnson and Jeffrey policy discussions. “Space sustainability three current ISU students – Megan Kane, Osborne will be representing a larger issues are governed by soft law – and Christopher Johnson, and Jeffrey Osborne. team from ISU SSP 2011 with the topic are likely to continue in that vein,” said “An Interdisciplinary Approach to Human- Christopher, “This creates opportunities for Megan Kane, a returned US Peace Corps Robot Cooperation in Mars Exploration”. development of creative legal tools. There volunteer with an abiding interest in “Sustainable space development will should be some interesting dialogues.” space debris, will present “Space Debris: have to intelligently balance the flexibility A Commercial .” “This is an and of humans, with robust See these and more speakers at the aspect of the space debris issue that and sophisticated robotic systems,” says 16th annual ISU Symposium beginning has typically been overlooked,” said Jeffrey, “I am looking forward to connecting February 21, 2012. Megan.”The commercial sector is becoming with others who are passionate about The full program is available at more influential and active in the space long-term space development and to see www.isunet.edu/annualsymposium

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V Space Safety Winter Magazine 2012 25 Years of

International by Tereza Pultarova Space University

t’s been almost 25 years since Peter can be subtle and unpredictable, as what one’s horizons with cooperative hands-on Diamandis, Todd Hawley, and Robert in one culture is considered funny may be activities. Rocket competitions, robotics IRichards founded the International Space regarded as offensive in another. Also, workshops, and a number of cultural events University. Since then, more than 3200 overcoming the language barrier requires – an inseparable part of ISU’s student life – students from over 100 countries have a lot of effort when for example a Chinese are the additional ingredients that bring graduated there, and had a chance to start or engineer needs to solve a problem together fun into the experience. And whether one improve their career in the space business. with a Canadian counterpart. wants to become an astronaut, join the Based in the suburbs of the beautiful ancient The ISU program is designed to be future mission to Mars, start a commercial Alsatian city of Strasbourg, ISU is a higher Intercultural, International and space flight company, or focus on remote education institute aimed at providing Interdisciplinary, a 3I philosophy that is the sensing applications to improve life on Earth, education and training for future leaders essence of the institute. This approach forces everyone believes that space is an ever of the . The school presents humanists to struggle to design a satellite inspiring domain that opens our eyes and a rather unique approach. During the one orbit, scientists to put together a business widens our horizons. “The first universities year Masters program or the 9 week summer plan, and aerospace engineers to find their helped to bring mankind out of the Dark Ages Space Studies Program, students have the way out of legal clauses. The ultimate lesson and into the Renaissance,” said Arthur C. opportunity not just to learn about the space is that every difficult task is manageable, Clark, the legendary science-fiction writer and industry, but also to experience what the if you have a team to rely on whenever you first chancellor of ISU. “They demonstrated a space sector is really about: an international feel lost. This experience is priceless: no potential to unshackle the minds and spirits endeavor that requires cooperation of people great space exploration mission would have of the people of their time. The International with different backgrounds, coming from been accomplished without the enthusiastic Space University may well become an different cultures and speaking different cooperation of many people who, just like ISU essential cornerstone in leading humanity languages. Lawyers, engineers, natural students, have sometimes felt lost. ahead in space and on Earth in the century scientists, and economists have to learn to The microgravity laboratory, the satellite to come.” This same belief is what creates a talk to each other, and it is not always easy tracking station, the professional-caliber connection among all the space enthusiasts to overcome the differences in background, telescope, and the concurrent design who share the intense, varied, and method, and mindset. Cultural differences facility all provide opportunities to broaden challenging experience of the ISU program.

Collaboration in an International, intercultural and interdisciplinary environment is VI the most important lesson of the International Space University. Credits: A. Gini Space Safety Winter Magazine 2012 SSP 2012

Tackles by Merryl Azriel Space Debris

he Space Studies Program (SSP) is an I want people to leave with a greater intensive nine week program designed “ T to teach an intercultural, international, understanding of the problem and and interdisciplinary approach to the space sector. Held in a different city each year motivation to do something about it – Strasbourg, Barcelona, and Beijing just to ” mention a few – SSP2012 will be hosted by working at NASA as an engineer,” she recalls, It turns out SSP Team Projects are not just the Florida Institute of Technology at their “I saw SSP as a great opportunity to study academic: “When I was an SSP student, Melbourne campus in partnership with the business and management applied to space our Team Project was called GEOWARN, a in Florida USA. without a lot of risk.” A desire to expand their global emergency observation network,” An important part of the SSP curriculum is horizons and to refocus their careers seems says Dr. Bukley, “It actually got funded for a the Team Project, a comprehensive research to be a common trait among SSP attendees: couple of years: I think NASA put well over a project, developed over 4 weeks, covering “that’s what most of our participants are million dollars into it,” she says. According a contemporary interdisciplinary problem. coming for,” explains Dr. Bukley, “to get an to Dr. Bukley, It was one of the first times a Of this year’s four team projects, one will experience in an international, intercultural concerted effort was made to apply space explore the issue of space debris, with a focus environment, but also to broaden the range of assets to this problem, “Now it’s routine: you on mitigation and removal. We met Angie disciplines with which they’re familiar.” have a forest fire and JPL provides data to the Bukley, ISU Dean, Vice President for Academic SSP Team Projects have covered a whole firefighters; there’s a flood, you get remote Affairs and Director of the SSP, to discuss the host of topics in the past. Remote sensing sensing images to the people on the ground upcoming SSP and the ISU Symposium. applications, robotics, tele-medicine, disaster fairly rapidly now.” “The SSP Team Project is a study of space management, and space traffic management ISU Team Projects tend to be forward-looking: debris in general – mitigation, elimination, have all been addressed at some point in the “It’s fun to go back over the years and see and prevention, a holistic view of space SSP’s 25 year history. “I was trying to think that in many cases things are unfolding just debris,” said Dr. Bukley. The affinity with of subjects we haven’t looked at,” said Dr. the way we had predicted,” says Dr. Bukley. this year’s Symposium is fortunate, yet Bukley, “If you go look at the list of former SSP Hopefully the symposium will prove to be just accidental: SSP Team Projects are in fact topics it’s pretty amazing: when we get Team as effective. “I want all the people who come selected eighteen months in advance: “For Project proposals, the Academic Council has to to leave with a greater understanding of the this particular Team Project it seems most à go back and look to see not if we’ve addressed problem and motivation to actually go out and propos, timely, and lucky,” says Dr. Bukley, the topic, but when was the last time we do something about it,” Dr. Bukley concludes, “we will collect whatever information we can addressed this topic to make sure it’s fresh.” “that would be a huge accomplishment.” from the symposium and make sure that it gets incorporated in the documentation sent to Florida to be used in the Space Debris Team Project.” The SSP addresses topics in a team environment: thirty to forty participants analyze the problem of the day, research the literature for the current state of the art, and develop a unique solution, often in the form of commercial initiative. Group composition is the most varied: “Young professionals, old professionals, midlevel managers, senior managers, senior engineers,” says Dr. Bukley, “some participants are already working in the space industry, while others are looking for a career change.” Dr. Bukley was one of the former when she attended SSP in 1993: “I was

Angie Bukley, ISU Dean, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Director of the SSP. Credits: Shripathi Hadigal Rao VII Space Safety Winter Magazine 2012

27 August 2008 Avoidance maneuver due to fragment from Cosmos 2421 spacecraft.

Close Calls 12 March 2009 Retreat to Soyuz Capsules due to fragment of U.S. Delta 2 third stage.

22 March 2009 on the ISS Avoidance maneuver due to fragment of a by Megan Kane Chinese stage.

n the past 11 years, the 18 July 2009 International Space Station has Avoidance maneuver due to fragment of a Ibeen approached many times by Russian launch vehicle stage. fragmented space debris. Sometimes debris have not come close enough to 26 October 2010 call for precautionary measures, like Avoidance maneuver due to fragment of in November 2011, when the ISS was NASA’s UARS spacecraft. approached by pieces of the Fengyun 1C satellite, which was destroyed 2 April 2011 in China’s 2007 anti-satellite test. Avoidance maneuver due to fragment of However, five approaches have been Cosmos 2251. deemed threatening and resulted in avoidance maneuvers. Two incidents 28 June 2011 required retreat of the crew into the Retreat to the Soyuz capsules from International Space Station. Credits: NASA Soyuz capsules. unidentified debris fragment.

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REGISTRATION ENDS MARCH 31, 2012 VISIT WWW.ISUNET.EDU VIII Space Safety Focus Winter Magazine 2012

By Michael Listner Revisiting the

Liability Convention

The year 2011“ will be remembered for several events related with orbital space debris„

effort between Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The German space agency DLR, was re- sponsible for building the spacecraft, which was launched on June 1, 1990, by the United States on a Delta 6920- X rocket.(2) Thirty-large pieces from the The massive Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), while being released from the research satellite, including a carbon- Shuttle bay. - Credits: NASA fiber composite telescope mount, were expected to survive reentry. ROSAT he year 2011 will be remembered, finding a resting place in the Pacific made an uncontrolled reentry on Octo- among other things, for several Ocean. The second incident involved ber 22nd, and the DLR determined that events related with orbital space Germany’s 2.4 tons Roentgen Satel- any surviving debris from the satellite T (3) debris. Notable events include several lite (ROSAT), which was a collaborative fell into the Bay of Bengal.  close encounters between the Interna- tional Space Station (ISS) and orbital space debris, including the remnants of China’s 2007 direct-ascent ASAT test. The ISS also had a close brush on July 11th with orbital fragments from the Soviet-era Cosmos 375, a satellite in- volved in a series of development tests that that led to the deployment of the Istrebitel anti-satellite system through the 1970s and early 1980s.(1) The inci- dents either did not pose a threat to the ISS, or allowed the time to maneuver the space station to prevent a collision. Orbital space debris of another nature attracted wide public attention with the reentry of two research satellites within a month of each other. NASA’s Upper Atmospheric Research Satellite (UARS) was the first to reenter the atmosphere on September 24th. Up to twenty-six The ROSAT system of mirrors, composed by four nesting Wolter mirrors with a focal pieces of the satellite were expected length of 2.4 meters. Large fragments of this mirror have likely survived reentry. to survive reentry, with all of them likely Credits: MPE

13 Space Safety Focus Winter Magazine 2012

ling legal authority, and its definition of “launching State” is used to determine the State or States responsible for a space object. Article I(c) defines “launching State” as a State which launches or procures the launching of a space object, and/ or a State from whose territory or facil- ity a space object has been launched. Under the first test of “launching State”, Germany, through its space agency DLR, meets the definition, since it was responsible for procuring and oversee- ing the launch by NASA and the United States. However, according to ROSAT’s entry in the Registry of Space Objects, On the left, positions of the space debris 30 minutes after the Iridium-Cosmos collision; ROSAT was launched from Cape Ca- on the right, the debris cloud 10 days later. - Credits: Jeffrey Lewis naveral, Florida, which is in the territory of the United States. This meets the dard, if more than one State is responsi- second criteria of Article I(c)’s defini- ROSAT and ble for the launch of the space object in tion, and would have made the United question, then each one of those States States the launching State of ROSAT the Liability will be held jointly and severally liable along with Germany. Therefore, both for any damage caused, which means the United States and Germany would Convention that a claimant may pursue an obliga- have been jointly and severally liable tion against any one party as if they under the precepts of the Liability Con- he Liability Convention of 1972 were jointly liable. vention for any damage that ROSAT’s Texpands upon the principles of li- reentry might have caused. ability for damage caused by space objects established in Article VII of the Damage to the of 1967. It envisions Space objects, two scenarios where damage might Surface of the be caused by a space object: the first, orbital space which concerns damage to the surface Earth or to an of the earth or to an aircraft in flight; and debris and the the second scenario, when damage is Aircraft in Flight someplace other than the surface of the second scenario earth, like another space object in orbit, and the First outer space or another celestial body. he second scenario of the Liabil- The first scenario covers the dam- Scenario Tity Convention envisions damage age to the surface of the Earth or to an caused by space debris someplace  aircraft in flight caused by a space ob- he first scenario of the Liability Con- ject. It applies a strict liability standard, Tvention was brought into play by the where a State is held strictly liable for Canadian government after the reentry any damage caused by a space object and subsequent crash of the Cosmos even in the face of circumstances that 954 on January 24, 1978, in the north- are outside its control. Under this stan- west territory of . Diplomatic efforts under the first scenario led to a settlement for the costs of the cleanup and the damages from the crash. If RO- SAT’s reentry had caused damage by either striking an aircraft or persons or property on the surface of the earth, the first scenario of the Liability Convention would have applied, making the launch- ing State of ROSAT strictly liable. The Registry of Space Objects maintained by the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs in Vienna shows that RO- The ROSAT was equipped with two four- SAT was registered per the Registration wire Position Sensitive Proportional Convention with the Federal Repub- Counters detectors (PSPC), which have li- lic of Germany, listed as the launch- ROSAT was launched on top of a McDon- kely survived reentry - Credits: Max Plank ing State.(4) When determining liability, nell Douglas Delta II on June 1, 1990. Institute the Liability Convention is the control- Credits: NASA

14 Space Safety Focus Winter Magazine 2012

minished by the percentage allocated to it. The circumstances surrounding the incident and the actions taken by the Russian Federation after the inci- dent does not make that task easy. The Russian Federation was quick to point out after the incident that Cosmos 2251 was a derelict satellite incapable of ma- neuvering, and it correctly asserted that it did not have a legal obligation under international law to dispose of the sat- ellite after it became derelict. It then di- rected fault for the incident on Iridium LLC’s failure to maneuver Iridium 33, which allegedly had sufficient propel- lant, to avoid the collision. Iridium LLC countered that it did not have an obliga- tion under international law to avoid the collision even if was aware that a colli- sion was imminent. The conflicting in- formation and finger-pointing between the two parties coupled with the lack Operation Morning Light cleaned up the radioactive debris of Cosmos 954 in 1978. substantive evidence about the actions Credits: Royal Canadian Air Force of the parties leading up to the colli- sion makes allotting fault complicated other than the surface of the earth, like at best. another space object in orbit, outer Fault under the second scenario space or another celestial body. The Fault would be would be easier to prove if the unthink- standard of liability for the second sce- “ able occurred with a fragment from the nario imposes liability only if it can be easier to prove FY-1C ASAT test striking a module of the shown that the damage was due to the ISS. Article I (d) of the Liability Conven- fault of the launching State. This theory with a fragment tion defines “space object” as “...com- of liability is similar to the maritime law ponent parts of a space object as well standard of comparative fault. Under from the as its launch vehicle and parts thereof.” maritime law’s comparative standard This means any part or module of a the percentage of fault and the subse- FY-1C ASAT test spacecraft or rocket body is considered quent liability is apportioned according a “space object” whether it was eject- to the negligence of each party involved striking a module ed from a spacecraft or created by an to the aggregate liability. Once the per- explosion or collision with other space centage of fault for each party is deter- of the ISS„ objects. Accordingly, a space object mined, the total amount of damages for can be as large as an intact satellite or the incident will be determined. Each as small as a fragment or screw.  party will be apportioned its damages from the total established damages based on its percentage of fault. This standard of liability is tricky and con- tentious enough to apply in a maritime or terrestrial situation, but its applica- tion to incidents in outer space makes it even more so. The second scenario has never been applied, but the colli- sion between Iridium 33 and Cosmos 2251 over of February 10, 2009, offered the potential for a case of first impression. No claim for compensa- tion has been filed by the owners of the satellite Iridium LLC or its parent Mo- torola. If Iridium LLC chooses to pursue a claim, it would be required to demon- strate that the Russian Federation was at fault for the collision. To fully recover, it would also have to show that it was not negligent in its operation of Iridium 33; otherwise its recovery would be di- Radioactive fragment of Cosmos 954. - Credits: National Resources Canada

15 Space Safety Focus Winter Magazine 2012

The current “ body of international is being overrun by the complexities of international commerce„

Artist’s conception of an ATV reentering the atmosphere. The ATV is deorbited purposely and sunk into the ocean. - Credits: D.Ducros / ESA

The launching State as defined by the incident would reduce the culpability of Liability Convention is responsible for the launching State of the FY-1C frag- Michael each space object created by explo- ment and any compensation it might sions or collisions as well as additional owe for damages. Listner space objects created by subsequent collisions. Since a launching State is re- Michael is an at- sponsible for its space objects, includ- Closing thoughts torney and policy ing those created by collisions or explo- analyst with an em- sions, the launching State of the FY-1C s the proliferation of orbital space phasis on space law fragment (space object) would be liable Adebris increases, the potential le- and security. Michael also writes as a for any damage it caused. Evidence col- gal issues such as those surrounding Senior Contributor for DefensePolicy. lected through tracking data and pos- UARS, ROSAT, FY-1C, and Iridium/Cos- Org. Opinions expressed are those of session of the actual fragment would mos will increase as well. The Liability the author and do not constitute legal be significant to determine the identity Convention is a well-intentioned docu- advice or create an attorney/client rela- of the launching State and apportion- ment and along with its related space tionship. Michael can be contacted at ing fault.(5) However, the fault standard law treaties that make up the body of [email protected]. Follow Mi- of the second scenario would require international space law, forms a neces- chael via Twitter @ponder68. the launching State of the ISS module sary backbone for the jurisprudence of to show that it was not negligent either outer space. in maneuvering the ISS to avoid the col- The current body of international (1) See Michael Listner, “Orbital space debris lision or failing to perform a maneuver space law, including the Liability Con- from Soviet ASAT could collide with ISS” that might otherwise avoid a collision. vention, is being overrun by the com- and “Soviet ASAT orbital space debris will A determination that negligence on the plexities of international commerce, not threaten ISS”, Examiner.com, July 11, behalf of the launching State of the ISS and particularly the issue of orbital 2011. module in question contributed to the space debris. Proposals for multilateral (2) Mark Wade, ROSAT, Encyclopedia Astro- treaties to supplement the current body nautica. of international space law meant to ad- (3) Nancy Atkinson, “ROSAT’s crash site de- dress the issue of orbital space debris termined”, Universe Today, October 25, beyond the scope of the Liability Con- 2011. vention will be met by the same chal- (4) Information furnished in conformity with lenges of interpretation and enforce- the Convention on Registration of Objects ability that the current treaties face. The Launched into Outer Space, ST/SG/ key to the success of any future agree- SER.E/396, September 14, 2001, p.2. ments rests in addressing the deficien- (5) Under the International Space Station cies, and reinforcing the veracity of the Agreement (IGA), each participating na- current body of international space law. tion retains jurisdiction over the modules Only with that solid foundation to build it provides to make up the ISS, and each False-color processing of a picture of the upon will future proposals be able to nation reserves the right to pursue indi- ROSAT satellite, captured with a telescope address the current problems present- vidual claims under the Liability Conven- from the ground. - Credits: Ralf Vandebergh ed by orbital space debris. tion.

16 Space Safety Science and Technology Winter Magazine 2012

by Gary Michael Church

Water and Bombs

Nuclear energy“ is to the as steam was to the industrial age„

tudying the space age, future historians may agree on the sig- Snificance of a date not gener- ally associated with space flight. July 16th, 1945, was Trinity, the first nu- clear weapon test. Stanislaw Ulam, a 36-year-old mathematician who helped build “the gadget” visited ground zero after the test. Ulam later conceived  the idea of propelling a spaceship with atomic bombs. When considering nuclear propul- sion, it must be understood that space is not an ocean, even though it’s often characterized as one. The distances and conditions are not comparable. Stanislaw Ulam, the nuclear scientist who first had the idea of nuclear bomb propulsion. Fossil fuels, burned and transformed Credits: Universidad de Guadalajara by steam into mechanical work, would radically change the world in the span required for interplanetary travel, with- of a century and enable the industrial out any containment problems at all, by Space as a revolution. What is difficult for moderns using bombs. to understand is not only how limited After a half century, atomic bomb Nuclear Industry human capabilities were before steam, propulsion still has no competition as but how limited they are now in terms the only available propulsion system n “The Most Powerful Idea in the of space travel. Chemical propulsion is for practical interplanetary travel. This IWorld: A Story of Steam, Industry, incapable of taking human beings to fact is almost completely unknown to and Invention”, author William Rosen the outer and back within the public. Physicist Freeman Dyson theorizes that English patent law was the crew limits of a few years. The so- and weapon designer Ted Taylor on the the key enabler of the industrial age by lution is a reaction one million times top-secret project did the first allowing inventors to retain and profit more powerful. Nuclear energy is to the serious work on bomb propulsion. The from their intellectual property. In the space age as steam was to the indus- “unclassified” state of the art in nucle- space age, fears of weaponizing space trial age. ar weapons can direct 80 percent of have had the opposite effect. Ironical- Space is not an ocean, and this was bomb energy into a slab of propellant, ly, the nuclear industry is not safe on the correct lesson drawn by Stanislaw converting this mass into a jet of super- Earth, but deep space seems designed Ulam. While metal can barely contain heated plasma. A pusher plate would for it. and harness chemical energy, Ulam absorb this blast without melting for the The space industry is ipso facto a thought outside that box by accept- fraction of a second it lasts and accel- nuclear industry. All astronauts are ing that nuclear energy could never be erate the spaceship in steps with each radiation workers. The presence of a contained efficiently by any materiall. bomb. Perhaps the closest experience small percentage of highly damaging However, nuclear energy could be har- to riding in an atomic bomb propelled and deeply penetrating particles - the nessed to push a spaceship in sepa- spaceship would be a set of repeated heavy nuclei component of galactic rate events to the fantastic velocities aircraft carrier catapult launches. cosmic rays - makes a super pow- 

17 Space Safety Science and Technology Winter Magazine 2012

tually enters the atmosphere. Not only lifting the shielding into orbit but chemi- cally boosting it to a higher escape ve- locity away from the Earth is thus dou- bly problematic. The situation changed in March 2010, when NASA reported Mini-SAR radar aboard the Chandrayaan-1 lunar had detected what appeared to be ice deposits at the lunar North Pole, an estimated 600 million tons of ice in sheets a couple meters thick. Moon wa- ter would allow a spaceship in lunar or- bit to fill an outer hull with the 500+ tons of water required to effectively shield a capsule from heavy nuclei. This would enable an empty spaceship to “travel light” to the Moon and then boost out of lunar orbit using atomic bomb propul- sion with a full radiation shield. Parker’s Artist’s conception of a deep space spaceship, using water tanks as radiation shielding. guaranteed but impractical solution had Credits: NASA suddenly become practical. Fourteen feet of water almost equals the protec- erful propulsion system mandatory. tion of the Earth’s air column, and this The great mass of shielding needed The nuclear would protect astronauts from all forms renders chemical engines, nuclear ther- “ of space radiation. With water and mal, and the low thrust forms of electri- industry is not bombs, epic missions of exploration to cal propulsion essentially worthless for the asteroid belt and outer planets are human deep space flight. Bomb pro- safe on Earth, entirely possible. pulsion is left as the only “off the shelf” viable means of propulsion. but deep space For the foreseeable future, high Artificial Gravity thrust and high specific impulse to pro- seems designed pel heavy shielding to the required ve- here are other challenges to long locities is only possible using bombs. for it„ Tduration beyond earth orbit human The most useful and available form space flight, but the solutions have of radiation shielding is water. While been known for many decades. Zero space may not be an ocean, it appears gravity debilitation causes astronauts human beings will have to take some of Water on the to weaken and permanently lose bone the ocean with them to survive. and bone marrow mass. The most In the March 2006 issue of Scientific Moon practical solution, theorized since the American magazine, Dr. Eugene Parker early 1930’s, was investigated in 1966 explained in simple terms survivable omb propulsion is ideal for deep during the mission. A 100- deep space travel. In “Shielding Space Bspace but cannot be used in Earth foot tether experiment with the cap- Travelers”, Parker states, “cosmic rays orbit due to the Earth’s magnetic field sule attached to an Agena booster was pose irreducible risks.” The premise trapping radioactive fallout that even- successful in generating a small  of this statement is revealed when the only guaranteed solution to reducing the risk, a shield massing hundreds of tons, is deemed impractical. Active magnetic shields and other schemes are likewise of no use because while they may stop most radiation, the only effective barrier to heavy nuclei is mass and distance. The impracticality of a massive shield is due to first the expense of lifting hundreds of tons of shielding into space from Earth, and secondly propelling this mass around the solar system. Propelling this mass is not a problem if using atomic bombs; however, another problem arises. There The Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application (NERVA), which was successfully tested is still the need to escape Earth’s gravi- in the late ’60s, demonstrated that nuclear rockets could be feasible and reliable tools for tational field with all that shielding. . - Credits: NASA

18 Space Safety Science and Technology Winter Magazine 2012

A surface temperature map of the lunar south pole, showing several With water intensely cold impact “ craters that could trap and bombs, epic water ice and other icy compounds commonly missions to the observed in comets. asteroid belt and Credits: NASA ons to turn their outer planets are great talents to the cause of mankind possible„ and world peace.” The best insurance for our species is to establish, in concert with a spaceship amount of artificial gravity by spinning pacts that could strike the Earth at any fleet, several independent self-support- the two vehicles. Equal masses on the time. In April of 2010 physicist Stephen ing off world colonies in the outer solar ends of a tether can efficiently gener- Hawking warned of alien civilizations system. The first such colony would ate centrifugal force equal to 1G. The posing a threat to humanity. Comets mark the beginning of a new age. concept is to “split the ship” when not purposely crashed into a planet to wipe maneuvering under power, so the 500+ out the majority of indigenous life and Views and opinions expressed in this tons of shielded capsule is on one end prepare for the introduction of inva- article are those of the author, and do and the rest of the craft of equal mass sive alien species may be a common not reflect necessarily those of IAASS is reeled out on the other end of a thou- occurrence in the galaxy. Before read- and ISSF, publishers of the Space Safe- sand foot or more tether. Looking out ers scoff, they might consider towers ty Magazine. through 14 feet of water, the crew of brought down by jetliners, the discov- such a spaceship would view a slowly ery of millions of planets, and other re- rotating star field. cent unlikely events. References: Equipment to enable a closed cycle At this time self-defense is the only George Dyson, 2002, Project Orion: The True life support system, providing years of valid reason to go into space. Protect- story of the Atomic Spaceship, Henry Holt air and water, is now available in the ing our species from extinction is the and Company, LLC. form of plasma reformers and facilitated ultimate moral high ground above all Eugene Parker, March 2006, Shielding Space by tons of water in which to grow algae other calls on public funds. President Travelers, Scientific American Magazine. or genetically modified organisms. With Ronald Reagan in his 1983 Star Wars William Rosen, 2010, The Most Powerful Idea Earth radiation, Earth gravity, and air speech said, “I call upon the scientific in the World: A Story of Steam, Industry, and and water endlessly purified on board, community who gave us nuclear weap- Invention, Random House. crews can push their psychological lim- its as far out into the solar system as the speed of their atomic spaceships allow. A Problem of Funding s of 2011, there are zero prospects Afor funding a long duration be- yond earth orbit mission. Using atomic bombs to propel spaceships around the solar system would cost as much as several major U.S. Department of Defense projects combined. However, there is a completely valid military mis- sion for atomic bomb propelled space- ships. became an issue in 1980, when the Chicxulub impact crater in Mexico was assigned blame for the mass extinction of the di- nosaurs. The human race needs to be pro- Artist’s conception of a nuclear pulse powered spacecraft. tected, but not only from random im- Credits: Rhys Taylor - www.rhysy.net

19 Space Safety Editorial Winter Magazine 2012

By Maite Trujillo Suborbital Safety: A new

IAASS Technical Committee

SpaceportSEA (Spaceport at South East Asia), the new facility for commercial suborbital spaceflight that will be built in Malaysia. Souce: SpaceportSEA

n May 2011, a new IAASS “Sub- race”, ranging from difficulties with ing or certification. Another space- orbital Safety” technical committee obtaining investment, problems with plane model is the Spacelinq in the Iwas created to contribute to the ad- technical solutions and with regulatory Netherlands. Both of these SoA have vancement on the field by addressing issues. We can only judge the prog- jet turbine engines for normal take-off the technical and regulatory challenges ress of some of the leading suborbital and powered landing and a rocket pro- of the emerging suborbital spaceflight companies by the milestones they have pulsion system for the suborbital part industry. This technical committee is achieved, whether in winning business of the flight. chaired by Andy Quinn and Maite Tru- contracts or to actual test flights. The progress of Virgin Galactic has jillo, active contributors to the field, Armadillo Aerospace appears to be been well documented, as they con- and it is formed by experts and voun- progressing well and they are one of tinue with their SpaceShipTwo test teers working in Government organiza- three companies using a vertical take- schedule, having undertaken a ‘drop- tions, Industry and Academia around off/vertical landing approach. Armadillo test’ from the Mother-ship WhiteK- the world. Aerospace will operate in the United nightTwo with successful deploy of the States under the FAA-AST Launch Li- ‘feathered’ configuration. The Space- cense approach. Masten Aerospace ShipTwo rocket has not been air-tested The Suborbital and Blue Origin also are develop- as of yet. Finally, XCOR moves on with ing VTVL systems. All three are de- the development of their Lynx vehicle, signed for autonomous operation with which carries one passenger and one a ground-based vehicle operator as a pilot, powered by the Reusable Launch he suborbital industry is showing back-up. EADS-Astrium is developing Vehicle (RLV) from the Spaceport’s run- Treal progress in terms of develop- their suborbital aircraft (SoA) under an way all the way up to the engine cut-off ment and there are many companies EASA certification approach and in- altitude of about 40 to 50 km, with the competing in the race to achieve sub- tends to operate from Singapore for its common ballistic microgravity coast to orbital experimental flights and subse- initial operations. This aircraft-style of apogee and back through re-entry. The quent commercial operations. Compa- space-plane is one of the reasons for variety of approaches is what makes nies involved in the suborbital domain forming the technical committee; be- this industry so exciting, while at the have experienced many challenges in cause it requires novel approaches in same time requiring the formulation of their endeavours to win this new “space determining safety criteria and licens- proper guidelines and best practices.

20 Space Safety Editorial Winter Magazine 2012

are also within the scope of the terms of ment and spaceport safety standards, Suborbital reference of this technical committee. and explains the significant roles the Suborbital Safety: A new IAASS suborbital safety technical com- Technical mittee can play. IAASS Technical Committee Committee: New Commercial Purpose and Technical ew commercial spaceports are be- Committee Goals Ning developed, either by extending existing airports with extra facilities and Members he purpose of the new Suborbital certifications, or by developing totally TSafety Technical Committee is to new infrastructures similar to airport, he TC members have been select- focus on the emerging technical issues with runways and terminals to support Ted from within the industry or are in- as the industry develops towards regu- passengers and other commercial pay- terested in working in the industry. The lar suborbital operations. The goal is to loads including scientific experiments. TC aims to harness member’s expertise contribute to the development of sub- The two major and most known space- on suborbital-specific issues to be able orbital industry guidelines and best- ports being developed are Spaceport to provide best practice and guidelines practices towards a global harmoniza- America and Mohave Air and Space based on appropriate and rationalised tion on the various challenges facing Port in the USA. Other spaceports out- methods. The SSTC will learn from les- the industry today. The technical issues side the USA include Caribbean Space- sons in the sister orbital domain and that will be addressed cover definition port on Curacao Island, Spaceport SEA also engage with other orbital-based and harmonization of safety criteria and in Malaysia, plus some proposal for committees when appropriate. possible certification approaches, as and the UAE. well as providing guidance on system safety engineering practices from de- The emergence of these new com- sign to operations. Crew and passenger mercial spaceports at multiple locations For further information: health & safety considerations as well around the world creates the needs of Andy Quinn ([email protected]) or as spaceport planning and operations a global air and space traffic manage- Maite Trujillo ([email protected])

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Space Debris meet human rating certification standards. It will focus on systems engineering of hu- Makes it to man spaceflight craft, building on real-life experience from the past 50 years in space. Hollywood Michael Kezirian, a safety engineer with The Boeing Company and Fellow Member After countless scientific studies and gov- of IAASS, is to teach the course. The text- ernmental proposals on how to handle the book used will be Safety Design for Space intensifying problem, the issue of space de- Systems, sponsored by IAASS and pub- bris is making its way to the Silver Screen. lished by Butterworth-Heineman, edited Artist’s conception of the new Stratolaunch Director Alfonso Cuaron is currently editing by Gary Eugene Musgrave, Axel (Skip) M. air-launch system. the movie Gravity, which features Sandra Larsen, and Tommaso Sgobba. Credits: Scaled Composites Bullock and George Clooney as two surviv- Read the full story: ing astronauts trapped inside the remote http://bit.ly/graduate_course space station is damaged after a collision Stratolaunch with a piece of space junk. The movie is ex- pected to be released the next November, Announces Air- and is already considered one of the most anticipated events in the cinema industry Launch System for next year. According to insiders, instead Dies at 99 of focusing on action, the movie will ex- Paul Allen announced on December 13 plore the boundaries of , Boris Chertok, a Russian rocket engi- that he would develop a revolutionary air- human consciousness and modern “weird neer who played a pivotal role in design- craft-launched space transportation sys- physics” discoveries about space and time. ing navigation and control systems for the tem consisting of 3 main components: a Read the full story: , including the rocket carrier aircraft, designed by Scaled Com- http://bit.ly/gravity_movie that launched the first ever artificial satellite posites; a multi-stage booster, designed by into orbit, died in Moscow on Wednesday SpaceX, carrying a 6-ton payload; and a of pneumonia. He was 99. “It’s difficult to mating and integration system, developed think of any major event in the Soviet space by Dynetics, which will define the interface First Ever program that he didn’t contribute to,” said between aircraft. If successful, the Stra- Asif Siddiqi, a history professor at Fordham tolaunch system would allow for reduced Graduate Course University. Chertok’s contributions to the cost and increased reliability and safety for Soviet space program first culminated in missions to low earth orbit. in Space Safety the launch of the R-7, the world’s first Inter- Read the full story: continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) in 1957. http://bit.ly/stratolaunch Announced A modified R-7 was also used to launch -1, the first artificial satellite to orbit The University Of Southern California Vit- the Earth. Chertok held his post for more erbi School Of Engineering has announced than 20 years, and served as the primary Shenzhou-8 the first ever graduate-level course in designer of control systems for , space safety. Entitled Safety of Space Sys- , and the hugely successful Soyuz Completes tems and Space Missions, the course is vehicle. designed to teach engineers and program Read the full story: Docking Mission managers how to design systems that will http://bit.ly/boris_chertok The reentry module of China’s unmanned Shenzhou-8 capsule returned to Earth on November 17. Launched November 1st atop a Long March 2F rocket, Shen- zhou-8’s primary mission was to perform China’s first ever on-orbit rendezvous by docking to the Chinese Tiangong-1 space station. The completion of the unmanned docking test flight represents an important step in the Chinese manned space pro- gram, which aims to establish a manned space station by 2020. Shenzhou-8 carried SIMBOX, an incubator of 25 Kg with nearly 40 biology experiment units, developed by a European consortium lead by German Space Agency DLR. Read the full story: http://bit.ly/shenzhou_8 Artist’s impression of the Shenzhou-8 - Tiangong-1 complex. Credits: Junior Miranda www.astronautix.com

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