SEPTEMBER 2023
ACSP NEWSLETTER

Editor-in-Chief: Will Lewis
Managing Editor: Morgan McKelvey

UPCOMING EVENT

Our next virtual event, in collaboration with Hyperspace Challenge, will feature industry speakers from various sectors, including law, PR, engineering, and business development. We will discuss how each of the speakers entered commercial space as well as their recommendations for early-stage professionals and those looking to pivot. This is a chance to understand the industry better and what choices you can make toward your career success.

FAA

• The FAA released a draft NPRM proposing a new orbital debris mitigation rule. The rule would impose a requirement upon launch licensees to provide an Orbital Debris Assessment Plan that would demonstrate that if debris— including spent upper stages and other components—is released during launch or reentry, during on-orbit aspects of launch or reentry, or during disposal operations, any pieces greater than 5 mm in size must be removed from highly-used regions within 25 years.
• Why it matters to you: If you’re a launch provider, this is obviously a significant policy development. But more broadly, this is a significant step by the FAA into the orbital debris policy realm. It will be worth monitoring whether this is a one-off development or part of a larger pattern of the FAA taking a more active role in orbital debris policy.

SPACE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

• The DoD will begin sharing a catalog of high-precision data it keeps on space objects with the Department of Commerce. This development has been in the making for some time and is intended to help Commerce stand up its Traffic Coordination System for Space.

• Why it matters to you: The USG continues its pivot towards viewing space traffic management as an essential component of commercial space traffic management and this is a significant step in that direction. For the first time, the Office of Space Commerce will have access to detailed and highly accurate data that can inform the agency’s development of a space traffic management framework.

FCC

• The FCC formally approved a Report & Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking related to its ongoing expedited licensing rulemaking. The rule changes put forth by this Order will take effect when it is published in the Federal Register. The comment and reply comment deadlines will also to be tied to the Order’s publication date.

• Why it matters to you: Every company and operator with an FCC authorization should review the Order to understand whether any of the changes will be applicable to future applications or existing authorizations. Likewise, any FCC stakeholder should review the questions raised in the FNPRM and determine whether to file a comment. The Space Bureau is open to making pragmatic changes to its processes and operators must take advantage of this window while it is open.

DIPLOMACY. IN. SPACE.

• The 18th Space Defense Squadron hosted members of the Chilean Air Force to discuss, among other things, space domain awareness. The two groups discussed how to collaborate and share information in the future in the name of “space security.”

• Why it matters to you: Chile is a burgeoning space power in South America, with its own earth observation satellite system. The country’s long and well-fibered coast makes it an important geographic location for satellite gateway earth stations. Chile therefore has the potential be an important ally and leader in the push to develop international standards and communications regarding space safety.

OSC and EU SST Starting to Socialize Study on Space Awareness

• Typically, the ACSP newsletter reviews government studies or releases before writing about them. However, the above linked story about a joint study conducted by the Office of Space Commerce-Space and EU Space Surveillance Tracking from Breaking Defense bears noting. Per the article, the study has reportedly found that there are inconsistencies in the space object data that the various space super powers are relying on for space situational awareness.

• Why this matters to you: If Japan, China, India, the EU and the U.S. all use distinct data sets of space object locations, the chance for miscommunication or miscalculation regarding potential collisions is high. This is consistent with concerns expressed by OSC earlier in the year, which we flagged at the time. Perhaps this study will facilitate greater data sharing and make the future of space a bit safer for commercial operators. You can be sure we will follow up on this whenever we get a chance to look at it!