Risk Management. Managing Risks in Open Space

Imagine: you're in a spacesuit weighing over a hundred kilograms, surrounded by endless space, and the only thing connecting you to the spacecraft is a safety tether. Due to the specific environmental conditions (vacuum) and the spacesuit's design, every movement follows its own mechanics and requires considerable physical effort. Every operation must be precise, and there's no time for lengthy deliberation.

I've had the opportunity to perform spacewalks four times. Twice we set records for the duration of work in Russian spacesuits. Each spacewalk is preceded by serious preparation and rehearsal of possible scenarios, both on Earth and during the flight. Yet every time, space throws surprises at you that must be handled here and now, relying on yourself, your partner, and the voice of the specialist from Mission Control in your headset.

What determines success in high-risk conditions? What role do forecasting and scenario modeling play? How do you build a system for preventing fatal risks, and why does quality team communication become the decisive factor in safety? I'd be happy to share principles of working in conditions of extreme risk.

Storytelling. The lecture’s structure follows the principle: Problem identification – Story from Alexander’s professional experience or that of his colleagues – Situation analysis – Conclusions. Includes a PowerPoint presentation with photos and videos and a dialogue with the audience.

The lecture "Risk Management. Managing Risks in Open Space" is of interest to:

1. managers responsible for process safety;
2. risk management specialists;
3. managers of complex technical projects;
4. heads of production units;
5. quality control specialists;
6. professionals for whom the cost of error is very high.

1. Risk should be managed competently, not avoided.
2. Security is created before the operation begins.
3. Good communication is the key factor in risk management.
4. The team is stronger than any security system.

INTRODUCTION (offline presentation): a nine-minute video about Alexander’s space flights, with his voice comments, to recreate the image of a manned space flight.

THE PRICE OF RISK IN SPACE:

1. the first spacewalk in history: Alexey Leonov;
2. analysis of emergency situations:
3. reasons (lack of opportunity to practice responsible stages of work);
4. factors for success of EVA (careful preparation, high level of motivation and ability to take responsibility);
5. balance between the need to take risks and ensuring security (it is necessary to solve complex problems for growth and development, which means risk-taking);

RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN OUTER SPACE:

1. forecasting, modeling, skills training;
2. technical means of ensuring safety and redundancy;
3. protocols for actions in critical situations;
4. criteria for decision-making at different levels of risk.

HUMAN FACTOR IN RISK MANAGEMENT:

1. building effective communication in critical conditions (case studies: Sergey Korolev’s parting words to Alexey Leonov; Alexander’s analysis of his own spacewalks);
2. role of the team in ensuring safety (case studies: interaction with the crew commander during preparation for the EVA; emergency during Luca Parmitano’s EVA);
3. stress resistance development through increasing the tasks’ complexity (case study: Alexander's preparation for flight);
4. the importance of motivation in risk management (case studies: Alexander’s EVAs; an incident in the career of a four-time Olympic champion in competitive gymnastics);
5. working with emotional anchor — personal solution for emotional attachment to operations of particular importance.

1. learn space approaches to risk management;
2. learn the principles of building effective security systems;
3. gain a new perspective on the role of teamwork in risk management;
4. hear real stories of preventing critical situations in space.

45–60 minutes