Disaster and prevention management for the NASA shuttle during lift-off

• Published in: Disaster prevention and management Vol. 15; no. 2; pp. 262 - 274
• Main Authors: Rabelo, Luis, Sepulveda, Jose, Compton, Jeppie, Moraga, Reinaldo, Turner, Robert
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bradford Emerald Group Publishing Limited 2006
• Subjects: Accident prevention; Aviation; Case studies; Casualties; Computer simulation; Decision making; Decision support systems; Disasters; Emergency preparedness; Failure; Gases; Geographic information systems; Monte Carlo simulation; Pollutants; Population; Prevention; Probability; Risk management; Rocket launches; Space shuttle; Vehicles; United States > US; Disasters; Accident prevention; Spacecraft
• DOI: 10.1108/09653560610659810
• ISSN: 0965-3562

Purpose - The main objective of this paper is to introduce the development of a decision-support environment for space range safety. Simulation modeling can provide a good environment to support disaster and prevention management.Design methodology approach - The paper describes the different models and the processes to find the different knowledge sources. This will help determine emergency management procedures.Findings - This case study provides guidance and an example to follow for other problems in aerospace. There are important factors to consider in order to implement risk management in NASA.Research limitations implications - There are several limitations; first debris effects need to be added.Practical implications - First, the paper provides a guide in order to persuade managers of the utilization of decision support systems based on geographical information systems. Second, it shows that there is open source software which can be used and integrated to make a more comprehensive environment. Validation is a big issue.Originality value - This is the first implementation of a virtual range. This will be valuable to other safety managers not only aerospace but also environmentalists and homeland security managers.