Space Traffic

Satellite operators to test a new collaboration tool designed to help prevent collisions
OneWeb, Spire Global and Orbit Fab will test a new collaboration platform developed by Slingshot Aerospace to help satellite operators share space traffic information.

Op-ed | Space Traffic Management: implementation and enforcement
The implementation and enforcement of space traffic management (STM) policies and regulations will be extremely complex and expensive for governments of spacefaring nations and all users of the near-Earth space domain.

House Science Committee approves space traffic management bill
The House Science Committee approved a bill June 27 that would give the Commerce Department new responsibilities for space traffic management despite opposition by some Democrats that the bill “rubber stamps” the administration’s space policy.

NASA, Defense Department support giving space traffic management role to Commerce
As the House prepares to take up a bill giving the Commerce Department new authorities for space traffic management, the leaders of NASA and U.S. Strategic Command offered their support for such a move.

President to sign space traffic management policy
President Trump will sign a new space policy directive June 18 addressing space traffic management issues, closely following the proposed policy that Vice President Pence announced in April.

Congress considering space traffic management legislation
As the White House puts the finishing touches on a new space policy dealing with space traffic management issues, the House is considering legislation of its own on the topic.

Defense Department turning over space traffic management to Commerce, but details still unclear
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Stephen Kitay: 'We’re excited about the new partnership with Commerce on space traffic management.'

Commerce Department ready to add space traffic management to growing space role
Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross says his department is gearing up to add space traffic management to its growing portfolio of commercial space responsibilities.

ESOC boss: Europe need to band together for better space surveillance
If Europe wants to take a lead role in this necessarily global endeavor, it needs to step up its game, Rolf Densing, head of the European Space Agency’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) said Oct. 25 at Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen, Germany.

Muddling through space traffic management
“Space traffic management” is the cyber security of the space world. It is a hugely important public policy issue that underpins the successful future expansion of space activities, yet there is no agreement on its definition.

Report recommends civil agency for space traffic management
A report prepared for Congress recommends giving a civil agency responsibility for space traffic management work, but stops short of recommending which agency should take on the job.

FAA estimates space traffic management costs at under $100 million
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration estimates it can take over the job of providing collision warnings for most satellites from the Air Force for “well under” $100 million if it receives authority to do so.

FAA and Pentagon foresee gradual transition of space traffic management activities
Defense Department and FAA officials foresee a gradual transition of space traffic management responsibilities from one agency to the other should the federal government decide to move head with such proposals.

Congress gets report on giving FAA space traffic role
The Federal Aviation Administration is willing to take on the task of informing commercial, civil and foreign satellite operators of possible on-orbit collisions, while leaving the Defense Department in charge of supporting military space missions.

New commercial space legislation unlikely this year
After passing the most comprehensive commercial space legislation in years in 2015, U.S. officials expect to spend this year preparing and reviewing reports required by that law rather than taking up new legislation.

Washington Weighs an FAA Role in Managing Space Traffic
The White House and members of U.S. Congress are in early discussions about how to give the FAA a greater role in monitoring the space environment and heading off collisions between commercial satellites, sources tell SpaceNews.

Strategic Command Envisions Civil Space Traffic Management
The deputy commander of Strategic Command said June 16 he could envision transitioning the duties currently performed by its Joint Space Operations Center to another organization, in much the same way that air traffic management is handled by the FAA.