Space Safety and Sustainability Project Group
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Space Tourism: A Closer Look on Safety Sustainability
Looking at a rocket launch, it is difficult not to be amazed by the scene of a huge machine shooting straight up into the sky, creating enormous smoke clouds around it. The astronauts on the rocket have trained for years for this moment and have a hectic few months of important scientific work awaiting them. However, with the rise of space tourism, some things have changed. These new space travelers do not receive much training and go to space mostly for their entertainment. While it is impressive that within a few decades, space flight has become so much more accessible, it also raises the question of whether we are prepared for a large space tourism economy, especially from a safety and sustainability standpoint.
Interview with Nia Van Woggelum
In the middle of May, I had the pleasure of interviewing Nia van Woggelum for the first edition of our new interview series ‘Women in Space for Safety and Sustainability’. Nia has over twelve years of experience producing composite products and is currently working as the Manager of Operations at GTM Advanced Structures. We spoke about her career journey, aspects of safety and sustainability that she encounters in her work, as well as her experiences as a woman of color in her field.
Announcement of the SSS-PG Essay Competition Winner 2023
SGAC is pleased to announce the winner of the 2023 Space Safety and Sustainability Project Group (SSS-PG) Essay Competition! The winner will get the opportunity to attend the 21st Space Generation Congress (28 – 30 September 2023) and the 74th International Astronautical Congress (2 – 6 October 2023) held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
NASA’s Take on Space Debris Mitigation
On 10 March 2023, NASA published a study into the costs and benefits of orbital debris remediation. NASA cited the importance of sustainability in space for future generations to use and explore the domain as one of the key factors in the decision to undertake this incredibly detailed study.
Update: US Guidance on Responsible Behaviour in Space
On March 3rd, 2023, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin released updated guidelines for safe and responsible space operations in a memo labelled "Tenets of Responsible Behaviour in Space." The memo covers five tenets, outlining specific behaviour applicable to military operations.
Space technology and its contribution to the challenge of climate change: Floods
How does space technology help us with climate issues here on earth? The use of space technologies for disaster management as well as climate change-related issues continues to gain increasing attention around the world. Several national space organizations such as the European Space Agency (ESA) and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) are calling for an active increase in the use of satellites for disaster mitigation and recovery efforts.
