Safety Requirements for Human Rated Space Systems

Human rated space systems are those that, to the maximum extent practical, ensure the safety of humans(i.e.: public, ground and crew personnel) from any critical or catastrophic hazards and/or safely recovery from them, ensure that human needs are covered and their capabilities are effectively utilized. The need to define these safety considerations has been the result of previous space accidents and lessons learnt onboard the International Space Station(ISS). In 2003, NASA released programmatic and technical requirements for human rating certification, which were reviewed and updated in 2008. In 2009, ESA launched an activity to identify safety technical requirements for human rated space systems in support of future European crewed space vehicles. Within this framework, ESA has reviewed and evaluated a comprehensive list of documentation, literature and identified a number of proven safety requirements for future crewed vehicles. This paper firstly presents an historical perspective of human spaceflight and European space activities. Secondly, human rating is introduced. Then, it describes the development of ESA safety requirements for human rated space systems and it provides details about its scope, requirements heritage and its applicability for European human spaceflight initiatives.