The Defence Aviation Safety Authority (DASA) has published the first volume of the Defence Space Safety Program Manual. It has been released as part of a new initiative to support the safety management of Defence's space domain activities.
Director of Space within DASA Sam Meure said this volume established the framework for the Defence Space Safety Program (DSSP).
"It sets boundaries and expectations for how the Defence Space Safety Regulations - when coupled with a generative space safety culture and independent assurance - will enable commanders and managers of space capability [to] achieve a credible and defensible level of Defence space safety," Dr Meure said.
The DSSP is being advanced as part of the close working relationship with Space Command and the Australian Space Agency (ASA).
Working with ASA capitalises on the memoranda of understanding to develop a common approach to the safety regulation of Australian space activities, cementing cooperation between the military and civilian space sectors.
"Defence has a duty to Australian Defence Force members and other people while conducting Defence space activities," Dr Meure said.
"The DSSP will help Defence meet legal and moral obligations while managing the safety of space domain activities, which have been shown to pose a potential risk to the public if not managed correctly.
"The program also recognises Defence compliance with statutory safety requirements related to space activities and Australia's international treaty obligations."
'The DSSP will help Defence meet legal and moral obligations while managing the safety of space domain activities, which have been shown to pose a potential risk to the public if not managed correctly.'
Dr Meure said that establishing an internal regulator would provide Defence the opportunity to setup regulations that help commanders and managers address space safety risks while delivering space capability effects in Defence's unique context.
"This volume of the DSSP Manual frames the functions of an internal regulator, giving Defence the freedom to support accelerated timelines required for space activity approvals and providing the flexibilities needed for commanders and managers to deliver mission imperatives," Dr Meure said.
"The DSSP Manual Volume 1 captures how the focuses and scope differ between Defence and civil regulators. This is true for the space domain where ASA have a much broader scope under the SLR Act than DASA under the DSSP.
"Although scopes may be different, a key attribute of the DSSP is that it must be consistent with the safety objectives of the SLR Act and be designed to achieve a safety standard commensurate with the safety standards established under the Act."
Dr Meure concluded by saying that the team was looking forward to the release of DSSP Manual Volume 2 in December.
Volume 2 will contain a regulations package that supports the safe operation of Defence satellites and satellite payloads.
"The National Defence Strategy calls out that space is a critical enabler of military operations and so DASA has prioritised delivery of a Volume 2 that supports the sustainment and expansion of Defence effects enabled by orbital operations," Dr Meure said.
Future Volume 2 releases will cover space facilities, space launches and space returns.
The DSSP Manual Volume 1 has been released on the DASA website.
