Introducing the debate on risks due to the space environment

Risks due to the space environment are a fact, but in order to manage them properly, a better quantification would be needed. After a brief description of the space environment two examples are given. In the case of COTS the driving constraint is the cost, nevertheless it would be necessary to proceed to further research in order to better specify and select these promiseful parts. In the case of a manned Earth-Mars flight the driving constraint is security. According to how the risks is considered, the architecture, propulsion and operation of the mission can be very different, in every case the uncertainty associated with the assessment of the environment and its effects restrains the risk management.