of the requirement, and may be used by the range user to deal with a requirement
to their specific case and to provide additional clarifying information, requirement
rationale, or recommended practices. The range user coordinates with the WFF
Safety Office to determine its applicability and enforcement.
4.1.3 Range Safety Requirements
The overall objective of the ground safety technical requirements is to guarantee
personnel and property involved in conducting range operations are protected by
the mitigation of hazards and the management of associated residual risks. It is a
working rule that all systems be designed such that it will take a minimum of two
“independent unlikely failures” to occur for personnel to be exposed to a hazard.
The WFF Range Safety Manual addresses those hazards representing heightened concern that are often not routine throughout industry but are common at a
launch range. Unique hazards that are not addressed by this document are
addressed on a case-by-case basis, and related mitigations and controls are documented by WFF in several plans.
Types of Hazards
• Chemical Systems.
• Radiation Systems.
• Pressure Vessels and Pressurized Systems.
• Cryogenic Systems.
• Battery Systems and High Voltage.
• Lithium Ion Battery Systems.
• Operations Controls and Procedures.
• Radio Frequency (RF) Controls.
Restrictions for Tour Groups and Official Visitors include:
• Electrostatic Discharge Protocols.
• Electrical Storm Protocols.
• Hazardous Operations Training and Certification Requirements.
• Nominal Recovery or Planned Land Impacts Procedures.
• Emergency Procedures.
Satisfying these requirements can give rise to a great many documents.
4.1.4 Overflight Planning and Coordination
Wherever in the world a balloon is launched, it might travel in airspace that is
controlled by a regulatory agency. At issue are potentially disastrous conflicts
involving aircraft. In the case of the FAA in the U.S., the governing chapter is Title
14 of the Code of Regulations, Part 101, Subpart D for “Unmanned Free Balloons”.
66 Mission Drivers and Operations
to their specific case and to provide additional clarifying information, requirement
rationale, or recommended practices. The range user coordinates with the WFF
Safety Office to determine its applicability and enforcement.
4.1.3 Range Safety Requirements
The overall objective of the ground safety technical requirements is to guarantee
personnel and property involved in conducting range operations are protected by
the mitigation of hazards and the management of associated residual risks. It is a
working rule that all systems be designed such that it will take a minimum of two
“independent unlikely failures” to occur for personnel to be exposed to a hazard.
The WFF Range Safety Manual addresses those hazards representing heightened concern that are often not routine throughout industry but are common at a
launch range. Unique hazards that are not addressed by this document are
addressed on a case-by-case basis, and related mitigations and controls are documented by WFF in several plans.
Types of Hazards
• Chemical Systems.
• Radiation Systems.
• Pressure Vessels and Pressurized Systems.
• Cryogenic Systems.
• Battery Systems and High Voltage.
• Lithium Ion Battery Systems.
• Operations Controls and Procedures.
• Radio Frequency (RF) Controls.
Restrictions for Tour Groups and Official Visitors include:
• Electrostatic Discharge Protocols.
• Electrical Storm Protocols.
• Hazardous Operations Training and Certification Requirements.
• Nominal Recovery or Planned Land Impacts Procedures.
• Emergency Procedures.
Satisfying these requirements can give rise to a great many documents.
4.1.4 Overflight Planning and Coordination
Wherever in the world a balloon is launched, it might travel in airspace that is
controlled by a regulatory agency. At issue are potentially disastrous conflicts
involving aircraft. In the case of the FAA in the U.S., the governing chapter is Title
14 of the Code of Regulations, Part 101, Subpart D for “Unmanned Free Balloons”.
66 Mission Drivers and Operations