Space Traffic Management - jsforum.or.jp. George Nield.pdf · Space Traffic Management . ... (such as launches by NASA or the U.S. Air Force). ... “best available” space situational

Federal Aviation Administration

Space Traffic Management

International Symposium on Ensuring Stable Use of Outer Space March 4, 2016

Dr. George C. Nield Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation

Office of Commercial Space Transportation Federal Aviation Administration 2

Space Flight Milestones


Why is the FAA Involved?

• Commercial Space Launch Act of 1984 requires U.S. citizens to obtain a license from the FAA prior to conducting the launch of a launch vehicle.

• The only exception is for missions conducted by and for the government (such as launches by NASA or the U.S. Air Force).

• All together, there have been 241 licensed launches, all conducted without any fatalities, serious injuries, or property damage to the uninvolved public.


Mission Statement

To ensure the protection of the public, property, and the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States during commercial launch and reentry activities … … and to encourage, facilitate, and promote U.S. commercial space transportation.


Space Shuttle Retirement


Commercial Cargo Program


Sierra Nevada Corporation Dream Chaser

Commercial Cargo – A New Provider


Commercial Crew Program

SpaceX Dragon 2

Boeing Starliner


Suborbital Space Tourism


On-Orbit Issues

• How can we enable new, non-traditional commercial operations in space?

• What, if anything, should be done in response to the proliferation of CubeSats and the continuing increase in Orbital Debris?

• What is the best way for the U.S. government to provide Space Traffic Management services?


Nontraditional Commercial Space Operations


Outer Space Treaty

Article VI “The activities of non-governmental entities in outer space

… shall require authorization and continuing supervision by the appropriate State Party to the Treaty.”


Existing Regulatory Framework

• FAA – Responsible for licensing commercial launches and reentries

• FCC – Responsible for licensing radio broadcasts from space

• NOAA – Responsible for licensing remote sensing operations (such as taking pictures of the Earth)

• DoD and NASA are key players in space, but they are not regulatory agencies


An Idea from Industry

One way to ensure that U.S. companies will be allowed to conduct non-traditional operations in space would be for Congress to authorize the FAA to issue a “Mission License” for those activities, as recommended by our Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee.


From Space Digest – 2014 Year in Review

CubeSats Launched Per Year


The Problem with CubeSats

• As spacecraft get smaller, they are becoming more difficult to track.

• Currently, there are no limits on satellite altitude or inclination, so popular orbits will likely become more and more congested.

• Commercially operated satellites are not obligated to follow international guidelines for orbital lifetime and/or disposal.

• Because they typically have short operational lifetimes and/or limited reliability, many CubeSats quickly turn into Orbital Debris.


Orbital Debris


The Movie “Gravity”


Collisions in Space


Space Traffic Management

One Commonly-Used Definition: The set of technical and regulatory

provisions and processes used to oversee, coordinate, regulate, and promote safe and responsible space activities.


Key STM Stakeholders • Department of Transportation (DOT)

• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

• Department of Defense (DOD) • Department of Commerce (DOC)

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

• National Telecommunication and Information Agency (NTIA)

• Department of State (DOS) • National Aeronautics and Space

Administration (NASA) • Office of the Director of National

Intelligence (ODNI) • Federal Communications Commission

(FCC)


Where Are We Now?

• The U.S. has a responsibility to carry out treaty obligations, including supervision of non-governmental activities.

• The U.S. is internationally liable for actions by U.S. nationals. • There appears to be a need to improve debris mitigation

policies. • No single agency has complete, “best available” space

situational awareness information. • No structure exists to capture all agency competencies and

capabilities into an effective, focused national capability.


What’s Been Happening?

• Interagency discussions on these topics have been ongoing since publication of the National Space Policy in 2010.

• Given the lack of a decision on how to coordinate space traffic management products and services across the various government agencies: • Commercial operators are investigating a range of alternatives

to obtain the information they need. • Other nations/organizations are starting to talk about creating

international oversight structures. • Congress has asked for recommendations on how to address

several issues related to Space Traffic Management.


Congressional Activity


U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act (1)

• NASA is to contract for a report on Space Traffic Management and Orbital Debris, due in 1 year • Assess current regulations, best practices, and industry standards • Assess current authorities for FCC, FAA, and NOAA • Review current treaty requirements • Assess existing government assets for STM and SSA • Assess the risks associated with smallsats • Make recommendations on the proper framework to protect public

safety and the economic vitality of the space industry



• OSTP is to prepare a report on Space Authority, due in 120 days • Assess current and proposed commercial space activities • Identify appropriate oversight authorities • Recommend an oversight approach

• The President is to prepare a report on Space Resource Exploration and Utilization, due in 180 days • Identify the authorities necessary to meet international

obligations • Make recommendations for the allocation of responsibilities

among Federal agencies



• The Secretary of Transportation is to prepare a report on Space Surveillance and Situational Awareness, due in 120 days • Study the feasibility of processing and releasing safety-

related SSA data and information to any entity consistent with national security interests and public safety obligations of the United States

Office of Commercial Space Transportation Federal Aviation Administration

Office of Commercial Space Transportation

STRATCOM Perspective From BreakingDefense.com June 16, 2015

Office of Commercial Space Transportation Federal Aviation Administration

The View from the Pentagon


“The FAA really should be in charge of managing what’s going on in space.” -Douglas Loverro, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy, at the International Symposium for Personal and Commercial Spaceflight, October 15, 2014


The View from the Hill


“We keep hearing [the Air Force] shouldn’t be the FAA for space. Which says to me, maybe the FAA should be the FAA for space.” -Representative Jim Bridenstine


A Potential Way Forward

• Designate the Department of Transportation as the lead federal agency for providing Space Traffic Management services to commercial space operators.

• Close the existing regulatory gap between launch and reentry by allowing the FAA to authorize non-governmental activities in space.

• Begin transitioning commercial space collision avoidance assessments from DoD to the FAA.


Closing Thoughts

• Commercial space companies increasingly have the potential to carry out activities that used to be only in the government’s domain, and at least in some cases, to do so even without government support.

• However, there are a number of things the government can do in the near term to decrease barriers to innovation, streamline burdensome policies, eliminate regulatory uncertainty, and increase on-orbit safety.

• The FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation is committed to working with other nations, other government agencies, and the U.S. Congress to enable industry’s success, while preserving the space environment.


Documents

Space Traffic Management - jsforum.or.jp. George Nield.pdf · Space Traffic Management . ... (such as launches by NASA or the U.S. Air Force). ... “best available” space situational