This report outlines the necessity and proposed concept for a Lunar Accidents, Incidents and Issues Reporting System (LAIIRS), a comprehensive multi-stakeholder community-led platform aimed at documenting and sharing knowledge about accidents, incidents, and issues associated with lunar activities.
The revival of lunar exploration, exemplified by the over 30 missions planned by various space agencies and private companies, underscores the urgency for a coordinated effort to ensure safe and sustainable operations on the Moon. Historical space missions, like the Apollo Program, have demonstrated the potential for accidents and incidents, highlighting the need for a systematic approach to capture and learn from these events. Plans to build shared community infrastructure on the Moon further emphasise the need for coordination to ensure interoperability. Navigating these risks is complicated by the diversity of actors planning to operate on the Moon, each with their own interests and reputational concerns.
We propose creating a community-led, voluntary, confidential and non-punitive accident, incident, and issue reporting system called LAIIRS which: * Records verified accidents, incidents, and issues related to lunar activities in an anonymised format, * Notifies stakeholders affected by reported events to ensure continued safe operation, and * Analyzes gathered data to identify common issues and trends, providing valuable insights for hazard analysis, mission planning and standard development for lunar operations.
This platform will allow for transparent and accountable operations on the Moon. By creating a centralized database of lunar mission accidents, incidents, and issues, LAIIRS will facilitate the sharing of critical safety information and knowledge, reducing risks, and enhancing the overall efficiency of lunar operations. This proactive approach aims to prevent long-term damage to the lunar environment and ensure the sustainable development of a lunar economy.