Pursuing the advancement of space safety: the case of ISSF&IAASS

Paper number

IAC-12,D5,1,5,x15297

Author

Dr. Simonetta Di Pippo, Italian Space Agency (ASI), Belgium

Coauthor

Mr. Frederick Gregory, International Space Safety Foundation (ISSF), United States

Coauthor

Mr. Tommaso Sgobba, International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety, The Netherlands

Year

2012

Abstract

Key words: space safety, sustainable orbital environment, commercial human spaceflight, international cooperation


Abstract: The International Space Safety Foundation (ISSF) is a newly established non-profit US based organization dedicated to furthering international cooperation and scientific progress in the field of space safety. The final aim of the Foundation is to pursue the advancement of space safety on a worldwide scale to contribute to make space missions, vehicles, stations, extraterrestrial habitats, equipment and payloads safer for the general public, ground personnel, astronauts and space travellers. Concurrently, the Foundation will seek to promote measures for a sustainable orbital environment aimed to protect the integrity of space-based safety critical services, such as global navigation systems. The ISSF will operate in close cooperation with the International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety (IAASS), which will provide through its highly knowledgeable membership all the necessary technical support and advice. 
The ISSF Advisory Council has been set up starting beginning of 2012 and focusing in its first year on developing the ISSF research program, which is intended to sponsor general studies in support of global risk management, conceptual studies on innovative systems, development of dedicated equipment, as well as performance of detailed studies on specific topics. Particular attention has been devoted to space systems interoperability. ISSF has also the aim of being active in space safety promotion, embodying communication and dissemination of safety information to strengthen the safety culture, promoting at the same time the development of safe commercial space flights. Special attention has been posed on the development of a certificate/master program in space safety through a “virtual”  International Institute for Space Safety (IISS). 
The ISSF advisory council will be also called to support to build up the consensus of the so-called “ICAO for Space” , which is potentially becoming a sort of “Copernican revolution”  in space safety, addressing in the proper way the future of human spaceflight in LEO. Stay international is therefore a must for ISSF.

Abstract document

IAC-12,D5,1,5,x15297.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-12,D5,1,5,x15297.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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