APT Paper Published in the Journal of Space Safety Engineering

Launch approval using the safety case approach to achieve performance-based requirements

Tom Pfitzer, Katie Byers

Abstract

With the international proliferation of government and private organizations desiring to place satellites in orbit, the growing need exists to approve these planned launches using efficient methods that also provide for effective public safety. This paper builds upon the earlier International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety (IAASS) publication, “Minimum Requirements for Launch and Re-Entry Safety.” It presents the rationale for ensuring adequate safety using the Safety Case, or performance-based requirements, as a risk management approach. The Safety Case, used successfully in the U.K., places the onus of safety on the organization with the greatest control of the risks. This paper recommends where a performance-based requirements approach is useful, and where it can be misused.