Who can formally contest or override a range safety officer's decision on safety issues?

The range safety officer (RSO) plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of rocketry launches, and their decisions are made with this priority in mind. The principle behind the RSO's authority is that safety assessments must often be made quickly and decisively to prevent any potential hazards during a launch. If individuals were allowed to contest or override these decisions, it could lead to confusion and compromise the safety of all participants and spectators.

The finality of the RSO's decisions means that they are relied upon to make the best judgment based on their training and experience. This ensures that the highest level of safety is maintained during rocket launches, as any delays or disputes over decisions could result in unsafe situations. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the importance of the RSO's authority and the need for a clearly defined safety leadership structure at the launch site.