Range Safety Activities for the Launch of an Earth Observation Satellite

Korea Aerospace Research Institute has developed an earth observation satellite and it was launched into its orbit in 2012 by using a foreign commercial launch vehicle. The launch site authority has imposed safety requirements to the spacecraft developer to ensure the safety of the personnel and to protect launch vehicle, spacecraft and facilities from accidents associated with the satellite operation at the launch site. This paper describes the range safety activities implemented for the satellite and supporting equipments during the whole phase of their design, manufacturing/test and operation at the launch site. To ensure the integrated requirements for safety management and design, system safety program plan has been developed. And based upon the plan, spacecraft developer conducted hazard analysis to identify and establish safety requirements to reflect in designs, procedures, operations. The result of the hazard analysis has been complied into safety data packages and it was reviewed by launch site review board at the safety reviews and finally it was approved to launch.