The Space Safety Division (SES) is responsible for assuring safe access to space through the oversight of pre-launch, launch and range, orbital, reentry, ground-based space systems, and end-of-life safety programs. As the Department of Defense (DOD) lead for nuclear space safety, the division evaluates said payloads and provides results to the President of the United States for launch approval. As the Air and Space Forces space safety lead, the division strives to optimize spacepower in all mission areas. Specifically, the division’s mission is to safeguard U.S. spacepower via mishap prevention and above all, provide for and protect space.

The Space Safety Division accomplishes its mission through a number of different methods. It develops, executes, and evaluates the department’s space mishap prevention programs and executes Interagency Nuclear Safety Review Board responsibilities on behalf of the Department of Defense. The division also codifies space safety via department-level instructions, manuals, and guidance. It oversees mishap investigations, conducts evaluations, and ensures application of corrective actions and mishap inclusion to the Air Force Safety Automated System (AFSAS). Critical is their focus to promote safety awareness and mishap prevention via interface with DOD, civil, commercial, academic, international partners, and media programs. The division also provides the chair for the department’s Space Safety Council and has space safety privilege responsibility for information exempt by statue or case law from disclosure outside the department’s space safety community.