• About PSAS
• Get Involved!
• Schedule
• Projects
• Presentations
• Mailing lists
• Contact us

• Teams
  • Airframe
  • Avionics
  • Communications
  • Ground
  • Payload
  • Propulsion
  • Rocket Science
  • Safety
  • Software
  • Uncertainty
  • Regulation
  • PSU Student Club

Introduction to PSAS Risk Management

• PSAS has never had a serious accident.
• PSAS is the only educational rocket group we know of that has safety SOPs and contingency plans. These plans have been reviewed and highly praised by TRA safety personnel.
• PSAS follows all TRA safety regulations and uses experienced TRA L3 personnel for all launches.
• PSAS takes risk seriously and works with an engineering mentality to mitigate known risks: a key example is the launch tower computer safety interlock system.

Risk Analysis

• Team meetings
  • No expected risks
• Fiduciary Duties and Finances
  • Mismanagement of funds [Marginal and Unlikely] = L
  • Misappropriation of funds [Marginal and Unlikely] = L
  • Misappropriation of the PSAS identity [Marginal and Unlikely] = L
• Transportation to and from events
  • Car driving [Catastrophic and Unlikely] = H
• Field testing
  • Unexpected recovery system actuation: [Marginal and Unlikely] = L
  • Someone falls off launch tower: [Marginal and Unlikely] = L
  • Launch tower falls on someone: [Marginal and Unlikely] = L
  • Battery explosion: [Marginal and Unlikely] = L
• Launch
  • Includes all field testing risks
  • Motor and igniter
    • Fuel fire: [Critical and Unlikely] = L
    • Explosion on pad: [Catastrophic and Unlikely] = M
    • Premature launch: [Catastrophic and Unlikely] = M
  • Recovery system failure
    • Rocket shreds and falls: [Critical and Seldom] = M
    • Rocket lawn darts: [Catastrophic and Unlikely] = M

Risk Mitigation

High

• Car driving [Catastrophic and Unlikely]
  • All students being driven sign waivers.
  • All drivers sign waivers and become approved SALP drivers.

Medium

• Premature launch/explosion on pad: [Catastrophic and Unlikely] = M

  • All TRA safety protocols followed.
  • Only TRA L0 and over allowed in launch prep area.
  • Only TRA L3 allowed to handle and prepare motor.
  • Multiple safety interlocks and PSAS SOPs make premature launch nearly impossible.
  • Last safety interlock is 100 ft away.
  • All personnel > 1,500 ft away during countdown and launch.
  • PSAS SOPs exist for this contingency.

• Rocket shreds and falls: [Critical and Seldom] = M

  • All personnel > 1,500 ft away during launch.
  • Airframe has been launched multiple times and the design has been reviewed by TRA L3 personnel.
  • Rocket designed to "shred" in small, lightweight parts.
  • PSAS SOPs exist for this contingency.

• Rocket lawn darts: [Catastrophic and Unlikely] = M

  • All TRA safety design protocols followed, including redundant recovery devices.
  • Recovery system has been thoroughly tested and reviewed by TRA L3 personnel.
  • All personnel > 1,500 ft away during launch.
  • Rocket is tracked and position broadcast via radio during flight.
  • PSAS SOPs exist for this contingency.

Low

• Mismanagement of funds [Marginal and Unlikely] = L

  • Fiduciaries are required to attend SALP budget school and follow all SALP and SFC financial requirements. Fiduciaries are further required to act transparently and in coordination with other fiduciaries and/or the faculty advisor when managing funds.

• Misappropriation of funds [Marginal and Unlikely] = L

  • Fiduciaries are required to attend SALP budget school and follow all SALP and SFC financial requirements. Fiduciaries are further required to act transparently and in coordination with other fiduciaries and/or the faculty advisor when managing funds.

• Misappropriation or tarnishing of the PSAS identity [Marginal and Unlikely] = L

  • Members are expected to coordinate with the assembled group when representing PSAS to the public or to other institutions. Members are expected to act in good faith during any such representation. Members are asked to consider that their actions while representing PSAS reflect not only upon themselves, but also PSAS and Portland State University.

• Fuel fire: [Critical and Unlikely] = L

  • All TRA safety protocols are followed.
  • Fire safety equipment is present at all launches.
  • Fuel is handled only by TRA L3 personnel.
  • Note: fuel is very difficult to start on fire.
  • PSAS SOPs exist for this contingency.

• Unexpected recovery system actuation: [Marginal and Unlikely] = L

  • All TRA safety protocols are followed.
  • Recovery system pyrotechnics are extremely weak and are safetied until armed for flight on pad.

• Someone falls off launch tower: [Marginal and Unlikely] = L

  • Climbers are roped in to tower when above 10 ft.
  • Climbers are kept below 20 ft.

• Launch tower falls on someone: [Marginal and Unlikely] = L

  • Launch tower is a standard radio tower that is secured with appropriate safety rigging.
  • SOPs are followed for erection.
  • Launch tower is a minimum size and weight for application.

• Battery explosion: [Marginal and Unlikely] = L

  • All batteries have fuses and electrical safety mechanisms (circuit breaker).
  • All batteries are handled by experienced personnel.
  • All electrical systems have been design reviewed by experienced, qualified electrical engineers for performance and safety.