Safety Design for Space Operations

Appendix E

The Role of Economics in Spaceport Safety

Kenneth Button

Chapter Outline

Introduction

The Economics of Spaceports

Issues of Safety

Reactions to Safety Concerns

Demand-Side Design Considerations

Public Interest and Safety

The Institutional Context

Some Other Considerations

Conclusions

Introduction

Transportation has developed over the years from the days when mankind had to walk to whatever destination was seen as attractive. Today, the cutting edge of transportation is undoubtedly through various forms of telecommunication, and possibly teleporting, but there is still considerable growth and development in older forms that involve the actual movement of people and goods. The use of space travel falls within this latter category. The ...