Analysing space dependencies - Methods and factors for method development
(2022) VRSM01 20221Risk Management and Safety Engineering (M.Sc.Eng.)
Division of Risk Management and Societal Safety
- Abstract
- Vital societal functions and critical infrastructure rely to an increasing extent on services from space, such as navigation and positioning systems, timekeeping, and communications. However, understanding of space service dependencies is low among practitioners and society at large, with research on societal space dependency being limited as well. In order to avoid cascading effects from disruptions to these services, societal actors could benefit from conducting space service dependency analyses. The purpose of this thesis is to contribute towards the development of a method for such space dependency analyses, by identifying useful existing methods and important factors.
Two studies have been conducted within the scope of this... (More) - Vital societal functions and critical infrastructure rely to an increasing extent on services from space, such as navigation and positioning systems, timekeeping, and communications. However, understanding of space service dependencies is low among practitioners and society at large, with research on societal space dependency being limited as well. In order to avoid cascading effects from disruptions to these services, societal actors could benefit from conducting space service dependency analyses. The purpose of this thesis is to contribute towards the development of a method for such space dependency analyses, by identifying useful existing methods and important factors.
Two studies have been conducted within the scope of this thesis. An explorative literature study covering twenty-one documents identified eight dependency analysis methods and fourteen factors deemed relevant for performing space service dependency analyses. In a semi-structured interview study with four participants, the findings from the literature study were validated and more perspectives on dependency analyses were provided along the themes of incentive, conduct, results and input data, as well as information security. Based on these studies, a prototype method has been developed, which together with the identified methods and factors are suggested to be implemented in future studies. (Less) - Popular Abstract (Swedish)
- The hitchhiker’s guide to satellite dependencies
For the last half century, humanity has gained access to better weather reports, live coverage of the Olympics, and a handheld map of the globe, all thanks to satellites in space. But what happens if these satellites fail? That question has been asked, but never answered in full. This thesis has aimed to assists researchers in answering that question, by providing a foundation on which to conduct such an investigation. This foundation is provided by presenting important aspects to consider when developing an analytical method for understanding how satellites affect modern society.
In this thesis, it was found that when trying to understand how society and its parts are dependent on... (More) - The hitchhiker’s guide to satellite dependencies
For the last half century, humanity has gained access to better weather reports, live coverage of the Olympics, and a handheld map of the globe, all thanks to satellites in space. But what happens if these satellites fail? That question has been asked, but never answered in full. This thesis has aimed to assists researchers in answering that question, by providing a foundation on which to conduct such an investigation. This foundation is provided by presenting important aspects to consider when developing an analytical method for understanding how satellites affect modern society.
In this thesis, it was found that when trying to understand how society and its parts are dependent on satellites, it is important to consider why we wish to understand it in the first place? Are there financial reasons? Are we doing it for someone else? Is there a danger in not understanding these possible dependencies? Furthermore, satellites and the services they provide are complicated. If someone is to analyse them, they will need help and guidance. Even worse, knowledge of these dependencies can be used by ill-faithed individuals and organisations to disrupt important societal functions, like ambulances or bank transfers! This knowledge must be protected. We can do this by hiding information or simply not writing it down in the first place.
It is important to address these issues when analysing dependencies, because otherwise we risk doing something which achieves no purpose or might even be damaging to society. The foundation which is presented in this thesis can be used by people who wish to understand how satellites affect them. Without such a foundation it might be hard to say something useful about satellite dependence in the first place. This thesis also provides a prototype of how to analyse satellite dependence as extra help. The prototype and the aspects to consider were developed by reading reports on how satellites affect society and asking experts about how they analyse satellite dependencies. Many of the reports also made use of experts, sometimes in interviews, and sometimes as workshops. Getting people together was also useful, since we tend to cooperate better with people we know. In a disaster this can mean the difference between life and death!
It became clear that there are many issues with satellites. Often, we do not understand how dependent we are on satellite services. Ask yourself: what would you do without a GPS? How would you pay or withdraw money without a working debit card? How would your workplace function if the digital lock refuses to open? With the suggestions in this thesis, you might find it easier to answer those questions! (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9101580
- author
- de Sousa, Theodor LU
- supervisor
-
- Tove Frykmer LU
- organization
- course
- VRSM01 20221
- year
- 2022
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Vital societal functions, critical infrastructure, interdependency, dependency analysis, space services, space infrastructure, GNSS, PNT, ICT, method development
- language
- English
- id
- 9101580
- date added to LUP
- 2022-10-11 11:59:30
- date last changed
- 2022-10-11 11:59:30
@misc{9101580,
abstract = {{Vital societal functions and critical infrastructure rely to an increasing extent on services from space, such as navigation and positioning systems, timekeeping, and communications. However, understanding of space service dependencies is low among practitioners and society at large, with research on societal space dependency being limited as well. In order to avoid cascading effects from disruptions to these services, societal actors could benefit from conducting space service dependency analyses. The purpose of this thesis is to contribute towards the development of a method for such space dependency analyses, by identifying useful existing methods and important factors.
Two studies have been conducted within the scope of this thesis. An explorative literature study covering twenty-one documents identified eight dependency analysis methods and fourteen factors deemed relevant for performing space service dependency analyses. In a semi-structured interview study with four participants, the findings from the literature study were validated and more perspectives on dependency analyses were provided along the themes of incentive, conduct, results and input data, as well as information security. Based on these studies, a prototype method has been developed, which together with the identified methods and factors are suggested to be implemented in future studies.}},
author = {{de Sousa, Theodor}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Analysing space dependencies - Methods and factors for method development}},
year = {{2022}},
}