Purpose – This article aims to describe the importance of knowledge management (KM) to the space industry. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing from a range of literature published in the academic and industry arenas, also including articles published in this special issue. The authors also...

Purpose – This article aims to provide an insight into the work carried out by a consortium of organizations that have an interest in space activities and to provide a focus on the knowledge architecture that is needed to ensure a viable short‐ and long‐term plan for implementing a...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the initiative set up at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) to investigate how knowledge management principles could offer solutions, while adapting to a world where technology and innovative processes are rapidly changing....

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to provide a conceptual and methodological framework in order to prevent knowledge loss in a long duration space project. Design/methodology/approach – Starting from risk management, the paper considers existing factors that contribute to the success of the...

Purpose – Besides the technological challenge of flying a space probe for ten years before arriving at the final mission destination, one is confronted with a potential loss of knowledge during this period. The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of the general knowledge management...

Purpose – The Hungarian Academy of Sciences is supported by the Hungarian Ministry of Informatics and Communications (RMKI). RMKI started a research and development project in 2003 with the aim of studying the knowledge management methods for long duration space research projects and to...

Purpose – Knowledge management for space exploration is part of a multi‐generational effort. Each mission builds on knowledge from prior missions, and learning is the first step in knowledge production. This paper aims to use the Mars Exploration Rover mission as a site to explore this...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose an approach for the management of “Space project management lessons learned” (SProMaLLs) as a powerful way to ensure better success both at project and at corporate levels. Design/methodology/approach – The success of a given space...