Safety Analysis of Microgravity Science Glove-Box Using the ESA Risk Management Approach

The risk assessment and management approach recently developed by ESA (i.e., RIMOX) is used to perform a PRA to support the development of various risk management concepts for the Microgravity Science Glove-Box (MSG), a rack facility to be accommodated in the International Space Station (ISS) for various scientific experiments in space. The study has shown that as compared to the hazard analysis and Failure Modes and Effects Criticality Analysis (FMECA) already performed for the ISS Glove-Box: (1) the risk associated with the experiment using the Glove-Box can be more systematically evaluated by PRA, explicitly taking into account the event propagation and the loss of the double containment function as part of the event scenarios; (2) the PRA allows for the evaluation of the possibility to continue the operation of the MSG in case of the partial loss of technical capabilities (e.g., loss of one safety inhibit) based on the residual risk; and (3) the PRA allows for a more refined prioritization of accident scenarios in terms of risk and safety significance because of the quantitative nature of the analysis.