Introduction to PSAS Risk Management
- PSAS has never had a serious accident.
- PSAS is the only amateur group we know of that has safety SOPs and contingency plans. These plans have been reviewed and highly praised by TRA safety personnel.
- PSAS follows all TRA safety regulations and uses experienced TRA L3 personnel for all launches.
- PSAS takes risk seriously and works with an engineering mentality to mitigate known risks: a key example is the launch tower computer safety interlock system.
Risk Analysis
- Team meetings
- No expected risks
- Transportation to and from events
- Car driving [Catastrophic and Unlikely] = H
- Field testing
- Unexpected recovery system actuation: [Marginal and Unlikely] = L
- Someone falls off launch tower: [Marginal and Unlikely] = L
- Launch tower falls on someone: [Marginal and Unlikely] = L
- Battery explosion: [Marginal and Unlikely] = L
- Launch
- Includes all field testing risks
- Motor and igniter
- Fuel fire: [Critical and Unlikely] = L
- Explosion on pad: [Catastrophic and Unlikely] = M
- Premature launch: [Catastrophic and Unlikely] = M
- Recovery system failure
- Rocket shreds and falls: [Critical and Seldom] = M
- Rocket lawn darts: [Catastrophic and Unlikely] = M
Risk Mitigation
High
- Car driving [Catastrophic and Unlikely]
- All students being driven sign waivers.
- All drivers sign waivers and become approved SALP drivers.
Medium
Premature launch/explosion on pad: [Catastrophic and Unlikely] = M
- All TRA safety protocols followed.
- Only TRA L0 and over allowed in launch prep area.
- Only TRA L3 allowed to handle and prepare motor.
- Multiple safety interlocks and PSAS SOPs make premature launch nearly impossible.
- Last safety interlock is 100 ft away.
- All personnel > 1,500 ft away during countdown and launch.
- PSAS SOPs exist for this contingency.
Rocket shreds and falls: [Critical and Seldom] = M
- All personnel > 1,500 ft away during launch.
- Airframe has been launched multiple times and the design has been reviewed by TRA L3 personnel.
- Rocket designed to "shred" in small, lightweight parts.
- PSAS SOPs exist for this contingency.
Rocket lawn darts: [Catastrophic and Unlikely] = M
- All TRA safety design protocols followed, including redundant recovery devices.
- Recovery system has been thoroughly tested and reviewed by TRA L3 personnel.
- All personnel > 1,500 ft away during launch.
- Rocket is tracked and position broadcast via radio during flight.
- PSAS SOPs exist for this contingency.
Low
Fuel fire: [Critical and Unlikely] = L
- All TRA safety protocols are followed.
- Fire safety equipment is present at all launches.
- Fuel is handled only by TRA L3 personnel.
- Note: fuel is very difficult to start on fire.
- PSAS SOPs exist for this contingency.
Unexpected recovery system actuation: [Marginal and Unlikely] = L
- All TRA safety protocols are followed.
- Recovery system pyrotechnics are extremely weak and are safetied until armed for flight on pad.
Someone falls off launch tower: [Marginal and Unlikely] = L
- Climbers are roped in to tower when above 10 ft.
- Climbers are kept below 20 ft.
Launch tower falls on someone: [Marginal and Unlikely] = L
- Launch tower is a standard radio tower that is secured with appropriate safety rigging.
- SOPs are followed for erection.
- Launch tower is a minimum size and weight for application.
Battery explosion: [Marginal and Unlikely] = L
- All batteries have fuses and electrical safety mechanisms (circuit breaker).
- All batteries are handled by experienced personnel.
- All electrical systems have been design reviewed by experienced, qualified electrical engineers for performance and safety.