1. SPACE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Space Situational Awareness and Space Traffic Management: Towards Their Comprehensive Paradigm
17 November 2016
Dr. Olga Stelmakh-Drescher
Postdoctoral Fellow in Space Governance
McGill Institute of Air and Space Law

2. SSA STM Synergy of SSA and STM
Information without an action looses its value
STM
Action without information can’t be performed

3. STM & STM. SSA & SSA. STM & SSA
Different concepts
Different stakeholders
Different approaches and tools

4. Space Situational Awareness
The ability to view, understand and predict the physical location of natural and manmade objects in orbit around the Earth, with the objective of avoiding collisions
(Space Foundation)
To autonomously detect, predict and assess the risk to life and property due to man-made space debris objects, reentries, in-orbit explosions and release events, in-orbit collisions, disruption of missions and satellite-based service capabilities, potential impacts of Near-Earth Objects (NEOs), and the effects of space weather phenomena on space- and ground-based infrastructure
(European Space Agency)
To know what goes on in space by acquiring the independent capability to watch for objects and natural phenomena that could harm our infrastructure
The ability to accurately characterize the space environment and activities in space
(Secure World Foundation SSA Fact Sheet)

5. Space Traffic Management
The set of technical and regulatory provisions for promoting safe
access into outer space,
operations in outer space and
return from outer space to Earth free from physical or radio-frequency interference
(IAA Cosmic Study 2006)
The set of technical and regulatory provisions and processes used to
oversee,
coordinate,
regulate, and
promote safe and responsible space activities
(Dr. George C. Nield, FAA Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation,
International Symposium on Ensuring Stable Use of Outer Space, March 4, 2016)

6. International Legal Initiatives
Report of the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) on Outer Space Transparency and Confidence Building Measures (TCBMs) (2013)
UN Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities Working Group Guidelines ( )
Draft International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities (last version dated 2014)
“General exchange of views on the legal aspects of space traffic management” added as an agenda item of the UN COPUOS Legal Subcommittee (General Assembly resolution 70/82)

7. Private Industry Initiative / Space Data Association
Purpose - controlled, reliable and efficient data-sharing critical to the safety and integrity of the space environment and the RF spectrum
Executive members - the world’s four largest commercial satellite operators, i.e. Inmarsat, Intelsat, SES and Eutelsat
Design and operation of the Space Data Center, SDA’s automated space situational awareness system, is provided by the Analytical Graphics, Inc. (AGI)
SDA members receive secure, reliable and immediate access to accurate information and analysis that greatly improves operations for:
1) Conjunction assessment
2) RF interference and geo-location support
3) Authoritative contact information for a given space object

8. Studies Generated by Academia and NGOs
International Academy of Astronautics “Cosmic Study” 2006
International Space University “Space Traffic Management “ report 2007
International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety
“An ICAO for Space?” report 2007
Book “The Need for an Integrated Regulatory Regime for Aviation and Space – ICAO for Space?” 2011
International Academy of Astronautics “Cosmic Study” 2016 (to be released in Spring 2017)

9. Main Trends and Status Quo
Preference given to own sources of information
No mechanisms to actively remove space (debris) object (issue of the ownership of space object and jurisdiction over it)
Experimental ADR technologies are very expensive and risky and can be “misunderstood” and “misinterpreted”
To substitute a damaged satellite might be more economically viable than to invest in ADR technologies or to invest in STM system
No existing regulation / legal mechanism / procedure how to get a consent from the owner if its satellite should be removed (action can be performed only with regard to our own satellites)

10. Challenges / Issues to Be Considered
Mandate / capabilities of authorities
Centralized vs. decentralized systems
Ownership of space objects
New space transportation systems: reusable LV, hypersonic flights, suborbital flights, “LEO taxis”
Large constellations of small satellites

11. Key Authorities
ICAO
FAA
UNOOSA

12. Key Authorities
Mandate
Capabilities

13. ICAO
ICAO – a United Nations specialized agency (autonomous organization working with the United Nations. Was brought into relationship with the UN through negotiated agreement)
Established to manage the administration and governance of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention)
ICAO works with the Member States and industry groups to reach consensus on international civil aviation Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and policies in support of a safe, efficient, secure, economically sustainable and environmentally responsible civil aviation sector

14. ICAO / UNOOSA Symposiums 2015 and 2016
UNOOSA - the United Nations office
responsible for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space
serves as the secretariat for the General Assembly's only committee dealing exclusively with international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space: the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS)
responsible for implementing the Secretary-General's responsibilities under international space law and maintaining the United Nations Register of Objects Launched into Outer Space
ICAO / UNOOSA Symposiums 2015 and 2016

15. FAA AST
The FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) was established to:
Regulate the U.S. commercial space transportation industry, to ensure compliance with international obligations of the United States, and to protect the public health and safety, safety of property, and national security and foreign policy interests of the United States;
Encourage, facilitate, and promote commercial space launches and reentries by the private sector;
Recommend appropriate changes in Federal statutes, treaties, regulations, policies, plans, and procedures; and
Facilitate the strengthening and expansion of the United States space transportation infrastructure.

16. Centralized vs Decentralized Model
As of today there is no institution capable to serve as a centralized model for an STM / SSA system
FAA
National authority
Rather in favor of taking over this role
But no international mandate
In any way will need to work with other authorities
ICAO
International authority
Can extend its authority only to the airspace, not outer space
Outer space will remain uncovered
UN OOSA
No explicit willingness and capabilities to take over this role
Rather a platform for dialogue than for action

17. Thank you for your attention!