Introduction to Aerospace
and shuttle risk
Presented By
Nisha Joshi
What is Aerospace?
Aerospace is the branch of engineering
and technology focused on the design,
development, testing, and production of
aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems.
It is divided into two major areas:
Aeronautics: Deals with flight within
Earth’s atmosphere
Astronautics: which involves space
travel and exploration.
What is space shuttle?
The space shuttle was a reusable
spacecraft developed by NASA to carry
astronauts and cargo into space. It could
launch like a rocket and land like a plane.
.
History of Aerospace
Powered Flight
In 1903, the Wright brothers made
the first powered airplane flight.
This started the age of modern
aviation.
Rocketry & Space Travel
1926: Robert Goddard launched the
first liquid-fueled rocket.
1957: USSR launched Sputnik 1, the
first satellite.
1958: NASA was established.
1961: Yuri Gagarin became the first
human in space.
1969: Neil Armstrong walked on the
Moon; ISRO was formed.
1993: China created CNSA to lead its
space program.
2003: China sent its first astronaut,
Yang Liwei, on Shenzhou 5.
Space Shuttle Program
1981 – NASA launched
Columbia, the first reusable space
shuttle.
The shuttle was used to:
• Send astronauts and satellites to
space
• Deliver cargo
• Help build the International
Space Station (ISS)
Five shuttles built: Columbia,
Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis,
and Endeavour.
Program ended in 2011 with
Atlantis’s final flight.
Modern Aerospace
After 2011, NASA partnered with private companies
like:
SpaceX – reusable rockets, Crew Dragon missions to ISS
Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic – space tourism pioneers
Major projects reshaping space exploration include:
Starlink – SpaceX’s satellite internet network
Artemis – NASA’s Moon return program
Ongoing Mars missions by NASA, ISRO, and others
China’s space program, led by the
CNSA, has rapidly advanced with:
Its own space station, Tiangong
Successful Moon and Mars rover
missions
Aerospace and Space Shuttle Risk
Aerospace Risk:
Aerospace risk refers to the potential dangers or uncertainties
in designing, manufacturing, operating, and maintaining
aircraft and spacecraft. It includes technical failures (like
engine or structural issues), human errors (pilot mistakes,
poor maintenance), environmental factors (bad weather, bird
strikes), and operational problems (air traffic errors, fuel
issues).
Space shuttle risk
Space shuttle risk is a specific type of aerospace risk that
involves the unique hazards faced by space shuttles
during launch, orbit, and [Link] includes risks like
launch failures (rocket booster problems), in-orbit
dangers (space debris collisions, system malfunctions),
re-entry issues (heat shield damage), and human risks
(astronaut health problems, errors during spacewalks).
Why Risk Management Matters in Aerospace?
1. Aerospace supports vital global infrastructure like defense,
communication, and transport, so risk management prevents
disruptions.
2. The complexity of aerospace systems means small errors can cause
catastrophic failures, requiring strict risk controls.
3. Human lives depend on strong risk protocols, especially in manned
missions facing extreme conditions.
4. Aerospace missions involve massive financial investments that risk
management protects from loss.
5. Past disasters show ignored warnings and poor communication turn
minor risks fatal.