Safety Design for Space Operations

Preface

The adventure of space exploration has come to a new crossroads in its history. After several decades of ambitious space programs that entailed cooperation between different states and space agencies, the industry is moving in new directions such as commercial access to space and new missions to explore other bodies in the solar system. It is impossible to imagine any of these programs going ahead unless safety is granted absolute priority for all aspects of the mission. I should like to quote Albert Einstein, who wrote “Concern for man and his fate must always form the chief interest of all technical endeavours.” But good intentions alone will not suffice and, in view of the inherent dangers of the space environment and planetary exploration, ...