International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety

International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety
Company typeNon-profit organization
IndustrySpace
FoundedNoordwijk, Netherlands (April 2004 (2004-04))
HeadquartersNoordwijk, Netherlands
Members200 members from 25 countries
Websitewww.iaass.org

The International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety (IAASS) is a non-profit organization committed to furthering international cooperation and scientific advancement in space systems safety. Its aim is to advance the science and application of space safety. IAASS was legally established on April 16, 2004 in the Netherlands. It became a member of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) in October 2004.[1] The IAASS is based on the intellectual interaction of individual members who together shape the technical vision of the association, and make the association services available to stakeholders (on a non-profit basis).

In June 2006, former US Senator John Glenn and first American to orbit became an Honorary Member. In June 2010, IAASS was granted the Observer status at the United Nations COPUOS (Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space).

The association counts more than 200 professional members from 25 countries, 55% of the members are from industry, while the remaining 45% come from space agencies, governmental institutions and academia.

A 2005 report by the Space and Advanced Communications Research Institute (SACRI) of George Washington University, titled Space Safety Report: Vulnerabilities and Risk Reduction In U.S. Human Space Flight Programs suggested that the newly formed IAASS might help improve the safety of the International Space Station (ISS). It also recommended NASA work with the IAASS to develop safety standards and advancement of space debris minimization and control.[2]

The first IAASS conference was held in Nice, France in October 2005. The European Space Agency sponsored the second IAASS Conference "Space Safety in a Global World" in May 2007 in Chicago.[3] The third conference was held 21–23 October 2008 in Rome, Italy. The fourth conference was held 19–21 May in Huntsville, USA. The fifth conference was held 17–19 October 2011 in Versailles, France, and the 6th conference 21–23 May 2013 in Montreal, Canada.

  1. ^ "About IAASS". International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  2. ^ "Human Spaceflight Safety Report" (PDF). FAA. Archived from the original on 2 November 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  3. ^ "2nd IAASS Conference"Space Safety in a Global World"" (PDF). ESA. Archived from the original on December 17, 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2013.