Journal of Space Safety Engineering最新文献

{"title":"Ensuring safe and efficient GEO satellite longitude transitions","authors":"Umit Cezmi Yilmaz","doi":"10.1016/j.jsse.2025.08.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jsse.2025.08.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A GEO satellite may occasionally need to change its operational longitude, a process known as \"relocation,\" to meet commercial or regulatory demands. Although such relocations are rare, they require meticulous planning and precise execution to ensure success. Due to the complexity and sensitivity of this task, effective coordination and precise execution are required throughout the planning and operational phases. This paper examines the critical factors involved in planning a secure relocation, with a focus on achieving the optimal balance between eccentricity and drift rate to accomplish the intended objectives. Additionally, the paper proposes guidance to support the successful execution of such operations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37283,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Space Safety Engineering","volume":"12 3","pages":"Pages 571-575"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145108249","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Determining the accuracy and repeatability of the solid propellant motor burning rate extraction methods using laboratory static tests in two scales to increase the safety of motor operation","authors":"Mohammad Reza Ghelichkhani ,&nbsp;Ali Reza Mohammadi ,&nbsp;Mohammad Mahdi Heydari","doi":"10.1016/j.jsse.2025.05.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jsse.2025.05.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><span><span>In the solid propellant<span><span><span> motor, it is vital to specify the maximum burning rate of the propellant and consequently, the motor’s maximum pressure to increase safety in the operation of spacecraft and space thrusters. The </span>burning time extraction method is the most effective parameter in determining the burning rate. The Quality </span>statistical methods for comparing the burning time extraction methods were used because the burning rate was not known before the test. In this research, after selecting the widely used methods in the world's </span></span>aerospace industries<span> and preparing the software code by performing 26 small-scale static tests, the repeatability of the methods has been extracted, and then in the next step, for the first time, an innovative method to determine the accuracy of burning rate extraction methods was implemented. By designing the motor on a larger scale and performing 10 static tests, Vieille's law coefficient and power were extracted and given as input to a motor gas-dynamics simulation code. Due to the existence of static tests, it is possible to consider the accuracy of the methods in measuring the burning time and, consequently, the average pressure. The statistical results of the smaller motor show that the iterative burning time methods have similar behaviour and the Hessler-Glick and mass balance methods have the lowest </span></span>coefficient of variation similar to the results of other references. Meanwhile, the reproducibility of the tangential method that is still used is very low. In the investigation of the accuracy in the static tests with different pressures in the larger scale motor, it has been determined that the most repeatable method is not necessarily the most accurate. Also, a difference of about 5 % in Vieille's law coefficient as the input gas-dynamics code parameters can increase the average calculated pressure error from 1 % to 10 %.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37283,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Space Safety Engineering","volume":"12 3","pages":"Pages 419-433"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145108233","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Universal safety standards as a foundation of national and European space laws","authors":"Katarzyna Malinowska","doi":"10.1016/j.jsse.2025.06.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jsse.2025.06.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><span>The primary objective of this paper is to underscore the paramount importance of universal technical safety standards as a cornerstone of space law, consistent with the imperatives of safety and sustainability. The absence of such standards has already had </span>detrimental effects, as evidenced by cases of forum shopping by certain space operators. Consequently, coherent technical safety standards should be universally applicable, transcending the distinction between civil and military operations in the field of space activities.</div><div><span>Universal safety standards should be promoted, maintained and adapted by a globally recognised body such as ICAO. This is in line with the postulates of the working group that drafted the \"Montreal Recommendations on Aviation Safety and Uncontrolled Space Object Re-entries\" (published by OSI, Canada). Such an approach has obvious advantages in terms of strengthening the risk management culture within the space </span>industry and the whole space ecosystem, such as the financing and insurance of space activities. It also coincides with the visible shift from the purely compensatory approach of space law (whose regime was only triggered once) to a preventive paradigm, as demonstrated by the US government's decision to fine the operator of the EchoStar-7 satellite for failing to comply with safety standards for the de-orbiting mechanism.</div><div>In conclusion, this paper seeks to highlight the importance of technical safety standards in regulating space activities in three dimensions: (1) substantive global coherence, (2) applicability to all categories of space activities, and (3) underpinning by a multi-level governance framework.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37283,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Space Safety Engineering","volume":"12 3","pages":"Pages 464-474"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145108315","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Independent safety investigation for commercial space accidents: a research on relevant international laws and their implications","authors":"Chao-Ting Cheng","doi":"10.1016/j.jsse.2025.08.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jsse.2025.08.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite recent developments advocating for independent safety investigations into commercial space accidents amid the rapid expansion of global space activities, no unified international framework currently exists, unlike the comprehensive system established for aviation accidents under ICAO’s Annex 13. While the independent safety investigation model found in international aviation law and maritime law provide instructive frameworks, the fundamental differences in the legal regimes governing space, air, and maritime domains constrain their direct applicability to space-related incidents. Existing space treaties, notably the Outer Space Treaty, the Liability Convention, and the Rescue Agreement, delineate state responsibilities and liabilities but do not establish detailed mechanisms for post-accident investigation. Furthermore, the development of an international investigative framework for space accidents is impeded by significant challenges, including national security considerations, export control regimes, and broader geopolitical dynamics. Nevertheless, this paper underscores the critical importance of international cooperation and transparency in advancing space safety. It concludes by calling for further scholarly inquiry and multilateral engagement, highlighting recent efforts by the United States and its allies to address export control limitations through bilateral agreements as a pragmatic step toward reconciling safety imperatives with national security concerns in the governance of commercial space activities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37283,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Space Safety Engineering","volume":"12 3","pages":"Pages 487-492"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145108250","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Concept of approach to advanced Russian orbital station","authors":"Nikita A. Chudinov,&nbsp;Rafail F. Murtazin,&nbsp;Vladimir A. Soloviev,&nbsp;Victor V. Afonin,&nbsp;Alexander Yu. Kaleri","doi":"10.1016/j.jsse.2025.06.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jsse.2025.06.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><span>At present, the final approach of Russian spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) is carried out in automated mode. To decrease the relative velocity, several braking burns are done to ensure \"passive safety\", when a free flying vehicle does not collide with the ISS. Under this approach, the implemented trajectories do not provide the crew with complete information about the relative motion, making manual control complicated. For this reason, switching to manual mode is allowed only at the final stage of braking, flying around or docking. In other cases, the docking may need to be postponed that means to perform the rendezvous again jeopardizing the entire mission. In order to improve the docking reliability during low-Earth orbit missions and, eventually, lunar missions, it is required to provide convenient manual control at all stages of approach in compliance with safety requirements. The authors have reviewed the manual approach heritage from the flights to the </span><em>Salyut</em> and <em>Mir</em> orbital stations as well as from the <em>Space Shuttle</em> missions. The paper proposes the technique that allows expanding the application of manual control by selecting a convenient approach trajectory with complete information about the relative motion. This technique is expected to be implemented during missions to the Russian Orbital Station.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37283,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Space Safety Engineering","volume":"12 3","pages":"Pages 390-395"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145108279","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Real-time air-traffic warning during satellite re-entries: Challenges and developments","authors":"S. Sanvido ,&nbsp;B. Bastida Virgili ,&nbsp;S. Lemmens ,&nbsp;H. de Haan ,&nbsp;J. Cassier ,&nbsp;A. Caron ,&nbsp;T. Rabus","doi":"10.1016/j.jsse.2025.06.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jsse.2025.06.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Over time, new market trends are shaped by advances in technological development. The space sector is no exception to this evolution, with launches across all mass and type classes reaching record levels in recent years. In terms of re-entries, this translates into a rapid increase in the number of re-entering objects. Between 10 % and 40 % of the re-entering mass is expected to survive, posing a potential hazard to aircraft, ships and ground populations. Alongside to the uncertainty on the surviving mass, the on-ground risk assessment is still strongly affected by the uncertainties in predicting the re-entry point, which is estimated around 20 % of the remaining lifetime for an uncontrolled re-entry from a circular orbit. Despite these challenges, the theory for the on-ground risk assessment is in a certain extent harmonised within the international context of space agencies.</div><div>In contrast, the assessment of the risk that re-entering objects pose to air and sea traffic is still a major point of discussion today, with methodologies that can vary widely from one country/agency/entity to another.</div><div>This paper discusses key challenges that are currently hindering the implementation of real-time air traffic warnings during Earth’s atmospheric re-entries, ranging from technical gaps to the lack of clear metrics or a centralised coordination point, and outlines recent developments aimed at mitigating these issues.</div><div>The first section of this work provides an overview of relevant historical events and comments the international response to the increased risk, while the second section discuss the challenges for the practical implementation of a real-time risk assessment for air traffic during the re-entry of space objects, and propose near-term steps for a overcoming them.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37283,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Space Safety Engineering","volume":"12 3","pages":"Pages 434-442"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145108234","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Space safety in the age of LEO constellations: The role of spectrum management","authors":"Qian Sun ,&nbsp;Huiliang Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.jsse.2025.07.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jsse.2025.07.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><span><span>The rapid expansion of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations<span> has heightened spectrum interference and collision risks<span><span>, exposing limitations in the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) static spectrum allocation framework. This paper investigates these challenges, particularly for Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) applications such as direct-to-cell phone connectivity and discontinuous data transmission. Through a comparative analysis of regulatory approaches by the </span>U.S.<span><span> Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the European Electronic Communications Committee (ECC), it identifies gaps in current spectrum management practices. The study proposes three adaptive solutions: (1) an enhanced time-sharing mechanism utilizing spectrum sensing and </span>frequency hopping to </span></span></span></span>minimize interference; (2) the establishment of international standards for dynamic </span>spectrum sharing<span> under the ITU to harmonize global policies; and (3) a multilateral governance framework, led by the United Nations, for integrated management of spectrum and orbital resources. These recommendations aim to mitigate interference risks, enhance international coordination, and ensure the secure and sustainable operation of space resources amidst the growing proliferation of LEO constellations.</span></div></div>","PeriodicalId":37283,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Space Safety Engineering","volume":"12 3","pages":"Pages 542-548"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145108246","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A framework for compatible-by-design orbit coordination in LEO","authors":"Miles Lifson","doi":"10.1016/j.jsse.2025.06.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jsse.2025.06.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As more and more operators propose and begin to deploy large constellations, finite orbital volume in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is becoming increasingly congested. Intelligently organizing and coordinating large constellations to efficiently make use of LEO and avoid hazardous conjunctions between on-station satellites can significantly reduce risk with minimal burden to satellite operators. This work describes the intrinsic capacity framework for understanding geometric constraints to compatible orbital design and orbit loading. This framework provides a way to calculate efficiency of orbital use, remaining unconsumed orbital volume, and efficacy of capacity-expanding measures. The paper describes various potential policy objectives associated with orbit loading. It explores ways to achieve them with different technical architectures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37283,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Space Safety Engineering","volume":"12 3","pages":"Pages 501-512"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145108244","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Getting the preliminary hazard analysis right","authors":"Tommaso Sgobba","doi":"10.1016/j.jsse.2025.05.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jsse.2025.05.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA) is widely used in the so-called risk-based design of space systems to identify and mitigate hazards. The analysis is rather straightforward, however it requires a clear understanding of key principles. This paper discusses some critical mistakes to be avoided during the performance of the PHA that can compromise the overall effort.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37283,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Space Safety Engineering","volume":"12 3","pages":"Pages 385-389"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145108278","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Use of probabilistic-mathematical-analogies in aerospace-safety problems","authors":"E. Suhir","doi":"10.1016/j.jsse.2025.02.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jsse.2025.02.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><span>Predictive modeling using probabilistic-mathematical-analogies (PMAs) is never a must, but, in addition to other possible experimental and modeling effort, often enables shedding supplementary useful light on some critical aerospace-safety tasks and problems (ASP) by providing valuable quantitative information about the most likely outcome of an aerospace mission or an off-normal situation. In this write-up some well-known, \"classical”, analogies employed in the past in various areas of applied science and engineering by outstanding researchers, as well as some currently used ones suggested in the aerospace-safety field by the author, are indicated with an emphasis on the application of the probabilistic analytical (“mathematical”) modeling. The approach is based on the use of the probabilistic-design-for-reliability (PDfR) concept. The concept was initially introduced to address the reliability </span>physics<span><span> of aerospace electronic and photonic products, and then applied to various human-in-the-loop (HITL) situations, when the reliability of the instrumentation, both its hard- and software, and the performance of the humans involved, if any, contribute jointly to the outcome of an aerospace mission or an extraordinary situation. Several medical (surgical), clinical, automatic driving and even </span>astrobiology<span> problems using the PMA-based approach are also indicated. It is concluded that while some kind of predictive modeling should always be considered and conducted for aerospace safety problems of importance prior to and, if possible, also during accelerated reliability (”life”) testing of critical electronic and photonic<span><span> products, predictive modeling and particularly the one employing PMA based approach should always complement computer simulations. Analytical (“mathematical”) modeling and computer simulations are based on different assumptions and employ different calculation techniques, and if the obtained results using these two major modeling tools are in agreement, then there is a good reason to believe that the calculated data are accurate and trustworthy. Future work should consider other possible applications of the PMA approach including the development of methodologies for establishing ultimate acceptable risk levels for critical undertakings, even beyond the aerospace-safety field, taking into consideration both the </span>probabilities of possible (never zero) field failures and the most likely consequences of such failures.</span></span></span></div></div>","PeriodicalId":37283,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Space Safety Engineering","volume":"12 3","pages":"Pages 381-384"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145108277","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}