The In-Space Rescue Capability Gap

The lessons of Apollo, Skylab and the space shuttle with respect to the rescue of astronauts in space seem to have been forgotten as the United States enters a new era of space flight that includes commercially provided spacecraft, space tourism, and the return of U.S. astronauts to the moon. The present posture, of not planning for in-space rescue and not having responsive in-space rescue capabilities, needs to be addressed before the need for a rescue materializes. The U. S. has the wherewithal to establish space rescue capabilities and to do so with a sense of urgency. This paper seeks to raise awareness of the need to revisit space rescue policies and close capability gaps.

Author: Grant Cates

You can also watch or listen to The Space Policy Show webcast on the topic of space rescue!

As part of the 6-part series on space safety, Grant Cates and RAND's Dr Jan Osburg discuss the importance of collaboration and some of the challenges on episode #137: The In-Space Rescue Gap. 

Grant Cates talks about his initial research with George Nield (former FAA Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation) on episode #68: Space Rescue.