AMOS Conference
Space Force in discussions with industry on future market for space surveillance data
Companies in the space domain awareness market are eager to work with the Space Force but need a clearer picture of future demand
Office of Space Commerce: FCC “aggressively” pushing limits of authority with orbital debris rule
The FCC’s adoption of a new rule for disposal of low Earth orbit satellites is well-intentioned but pushing the limits of its authority, says the director of the Office of Space Commerce.
National Space Council to seek industry input on future regulatory framework
The National Space Council plans to hold “learning sessions” with industry in coming weeks on how to develop a new regulatory framework for novel commercial space activities.
Space Force studying requirements for cislunar space domain awareness
The Space Force expects to know by next spring what capabilities it will need to carry out space domain awareness activities in cislunar space.
Majority of tracked Russian ASAT debris has deorbited
Nearly two-thirds of the debris tracked from last year’s Russian anti-satellite (ASAT) test has since deorbited, but it could take more than a decade for the rest to reenter.
FCC approves new orbital debris rule
The FCC adopted a new rule Sept. 29 that will shorten the time for satellite operators to deorbit low Earth orbit satellites from 25 to 5 years.
House committee questions FCC orbital debris rule
Ahead of a Federal Communications Commission vote on a proposal to set a five-year deadline for deorbiting low Earth orbit satellites, leaders of the House Science Committee are questioning the FCC’s authority to do so.
Guetlein: improved space domain awareness essential for national security
With space essential to military operations, better understanding of what objects are in orbit and the threats they may pose is “foundational” for space security, a Space Force general said.
Space sustainability makes slow progress at the United Nations
Diplomats and other experts see signs of progress at the United Nations on addressing space sustainability but caution it may will take many years before any sort of binding agreement emerges.
Space community ponders right-of-way rules for space traffic
The growing number of satellites in orbit is leading to calls to develop formal “right of way” rules, although there is no consensus on what those rules should be and how they should be established.
Space Force to consider space sustainability in any future conflict
The U.S. military will take space sustainability factors into account should it have to respond to an attack on its satellites, a Space Force official said Sept. 16.
SpaceX emphasizes coordination with other satellite operators
Two years after the close approach of a Starlink satellite with a European Space Agency satellite alarmed some in the space industry, SpaceX says it’s working closely with a wide range of satellite operators to ensure safe space operations.
Satellite operators need more accurate SSA data
Space situational awareness data used by satellite operators isn’t accurate enough to support the decisions they need to make on whether and how to maneuver their spacecraft to avoid potential collisions.
Space Force backs development of commercial orbital debris removal systems
A Space Force general endorsed the development of commercial systems for removing space debris, saying they can address congestion in Earth orbit without the policy concerns a government-run alternative might have.
Clusters, not constellations, pose biggest orbital debris risk
Despite the ongoing debate about the orbital debris risks posed by proposed satellite megaconstellations, one expert believes that an even greater risk comes from clusters of objects already in orbit.
Data sharing seen as critical to future of space situational awareness
The future of space situational awareness will increasingly rely on governments and companies sharing data that can be used to improve knowledge of space objects and create more accurate warnings of close approaches.
Incentives and requirements may be needed to enhance space sustainability
With satellite operators doing a poor job complying with guidelines to deorbit their satellites, incentives or even regulation may be inevitable to address concerns about orbital debris and satellite collisions.
Better coordination needed among operators to avoid potential collisions
As both the number of satellites and the number of potential collisions grow, government and industry officials say they need to improve the ways satellite operators coordinate maneuvers.
Transparency key to the future of space traffic management
It is possible to build improved space traffic management approaches to ensure safe operations in space, a panel of experts in the field said Sept. 18, but it will require more transparency among satellite operators.
New coalition seeks to improve space safety
A group of satellite operators and other organizations have banded together to endorse a set of best practices intended to improve space safety, including measures to minimize the risk of collisions in orbit.
