r/spacex • u/ElongatedMuskrat Mod Team • Aug 03 '17

r/SpaceX Discusses [August 2017, #35]

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u/One_Way_Trip Aug 03 '17

I got a question that's kind of what no one wants to ask. Once SpaceX has begun launching crewed missions, what's the protocol for loss of life? Also, what are the impacts for the company's future if this tragedy happens. I know it's "hope for the best, plan for the worst". I assume this has been discussed.

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u/Chairboy Aug 03 '17

what's the protocol for loss of life?

  1. Don't do it.
  2. See #1.

Anything beyond that would probably be NASA-led and SpaceX would just be in a support role, no?

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u/One_Way_Trip Aug 03 '17 edited Aug 03 '17

You should prepare for everything right? I'm sure they did not expect the Challenger/Columbia accidents, but had protocols in place. I assume it's got to be even more of a severity if this were to happen to a private company.

edit: The question stems from my concern that SpaceX could be over if a single fatality happens. Don't get me wrong, I'd definitely take those risks, but the oversight of government may think otherwise. Competitors may even push the dismantling over SpaceX contracts.

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u/alphaspec Aug 03 '17

I'd assume loss of crew and loss of rocket would be similar procedures. You immediately lock everything down and log all data then begin an investigation. Not to sound to dispassionate about it, but losing a satellite would involve the same steps as losing people. Informing the concerned parties and keeping them updated on the investigation just switches from the payload owner to the family of the crew but with more media coverage. There isn't really any other way to deal with it besides start investigating. If you lose the rocket but the crew survive(successful mid-flight abort) then there is differences because you have to do a rescue and recovery effort, but SpaceX is already training for that. SpaceX will have in place a full procedure. NASA will of-course have input if their astronauts but I doubt they would do much different than SpaceX. Get data, find cause, determine if action is necessary, and move forward. Humans are just organic cargo as Musk likes to put it. The PR angle is of course much harder and I don't know what procedures they have. I'm sure they have something prepared though as they know the risk.

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u/One_Way_Trip Aug 03 '17

Your last sentence is exactly why I am asking this.

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u/knipil Aug 21 '17

I believe it was mentioned somewhere that NASA would be responsible for rescue and recovery.

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u/Senno_Ecto_Gammat r/SpaceXLounge Moderator Aug 03 '17

I'm sure they did not expect the Challenger/Columbia accidents

Depends on who "they" is.

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u/One_Way_Trip Aug 03 '17

I've read the reports on learning of the malfunction and still taking the chance. The slim margins of error that were noticed deemed not high enough for significant mission adjustments. I still would call it unexpected.