Systems-Theoretic Process Analysis of space launch vehicles. Issue 3 (September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rising, John M.; Leveson, Nancy G.
• Is Part Of: Journal of space safety engineering. Volume 5:Issue 3/4(2018)
• Page Start: 153
• Page End: 183
• Publication Date: 2018-09
• Subjects: AFTS Automated Flight Termination System -- AP Ammonium Perchlorate -- Al-Li Aluminum-Lithium Alloy -- BFR Big Falcon Rocket -- BRM Baseline Reference Mission -- CCDL Cross-Channel Data Link -- CDR Critical Design Review -- CMD Command -- CNC Computer Numerical Control -- COPV Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessel -- CPU Central Processing Unit -- CRS Commercial Resupply Services -- DSM Design Structure Matrix -- ECU Engine Control Unit -- ESA European Space Agency -- EMC Electromagnetic Compatibility -- EMI Electromagnetic Interference -- ESD Electrostatic Discharge -- EWR Eastern and Western Range -- FAA Federal Aviation Administration -- FMECA Finite Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis -- FSS Flight Safety System -- FTA Fault Tree Analysis -- FTS Flight Termination System -- GG Gas Generator -- GPOS General Purpose Operating System -- GPS Global Positioning System -- HAZOP Hazard and Operability Analysis -- He Helium -- HITL Hardware-in-the-loop -- HTPB Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene -- HTV H-II Transfer Vehicle -- ICBM Intercontinental Ballistic Missile -- JAXA Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency -- JPL Jet Propulsion Laboratory -- KG Kilogram -- LOx Liquid Oxygen -- MDA Missile Defense Agency -- MIT Massachusetts Institute of Technology -- MPL Maximum Probable Loss -- N2 Nitrogen -- N2O4 Dinitrogen Tetroxide -- NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration -- NO2 Nitrous Oxide -- ORSRM Overall Residual Safety-Risk Metric -- PDR Preliminary Design Review -- PHA Preliminary Hazard Analysis -- PSI Pounds per Square Inch -- RCC Range Commanders Council -- RF Radio Frequency -- RP-1 Rocket Propellant 1 -- RTOS Real Time Operating System -- SAD Safe-and-Arm Device -- SRR System Requirements Review -- SSCF Software Safety Critical Function -- STAMP Systems-Theoretic Accident Modeling Process -- STECA Systems-Theoretic Early Concept Analysis -- STPA Systems-Theoretic Process Analysis -- TBD To Be Determined -- TVCA Thrust Vector Control Actuators -- UCA Unsafe Control Action -- USA United States of America -- USAF United States Air Force; Astronautics -- Periodicals; Space flight -- Periodicals; Space flight -- Safety measures -- Periodicals; Space flight -- Safety regulations -- Periodicals; Astronautics -- Safety measures -- Periodicals; Astronautics -- Safety regulations -- Periodicals; 629.4
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsse.2018.06.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2468-8967

Abstract

Abstract: This article demonstrates how Systems-Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA) can be used as a powerful tool to identify, mitigate, and eliminate hazards throughout the space launch system lifecycle. Hazard analysis techniques commonly used to evaluate launch vehicle safety use reliability theory as their foundation, but most modern space launch vehicle accidents have resulted from design errors or other factors independent of component reliability. This article reviews safety analysis methods as they are applied to space launch vehicles, and demonstrates that they are unable to treat many of the causal factors associated with modern launch accidents. Next, it describes how STPA can be applied to the design of space launch vehicles to treat these casual factors. Safety-guided design with STPA is then demonstrated with a hypothetical small-lift launch vehicle, launch safety system, and upper stage propulsion system.