Contingency Planning for Space-Flight Emergencies

Stephen H. Dole, Kenneth B. Bley, Harry G. Campbell, Dave J. Dreyfuss, W. D. Gosch, Elwyn Harris, John R. Hiland, Donald E. Lewis, R. T. Oelschlager, Louis N. Rowell

ResearchPublished 1967

This 1967 report presents the final results of a nine-month study on the problem posed by future emergencies in space that would endanger the lives of astronauts, emphasizing situations in which the lives of entire crews would be threatened. Using effectiveness- and cost-evaluation techniques developed during the study, the authors identify the most-promising remedial systems for dealing with such emergencies for each of several types of manned space missions: low earth orbit, high earth orbit, lunar landing, and Mars flyby. Specifically excluded from consideration were emergencies occurring during ascent or descent through the atmosphere or after landing on Earth. The most-promising solutions appeared to be remedial measures based on self-help (special emergency equipment on board the spacecraft) and those embodying the buddy concept (two autonomous spacecraft traveling together).

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Dole, Stephen H., Kenneth B. Bley, Harry G. Campbell, Dave J. Dreyfuss, W. D. Gosch, Elwyn Harris, John R. Hiland, Donald E. Lewis, R. T. Oelschlager, and Louis N. Rowell, Contingency Planning for Space-Flight Emergencies. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1967. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_memoranda/RM5200.html.
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