Space and Air Traffic Management System (SATMS)
One of the key strategic initiatives of the Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) involves further development and \ refinement of a concept of operations for an integrated Space and Air Traffic Management System (SATMS).
SATMS represents a conceptual "aerospace" environment in which space and aviation operations are seamless and fully integrated in a modernized, efficient National Airspace System (NAS). The number of U.S. space transportation operations will increase. At the same time, the demand for access to the nation's airspace by aviation users (civil, military, and general) will continue to increase. With changes on the horizon, the need for a calculated, rapid evolution towards realization of the SATMS vision is paramount.
The Office of Commercial Space Transportation has provided corporate leadership towards realization of the SATMS vision. In this leadership role, AST has invoked key partnerships with other FAA lines of business such as the Air Traffic Organization (ATO) and the Aviation Safety Organization (AVS). The U.S. Air Force's Associate Director for Civil Aviation also plays a key role by ensuring that the march towards a SATMS remains coherent with national defense objectives.
The Space and Air Traffic Working Council (SATWC) provides a forum for discussion and resolution of issues of mutual concern and an organizational framework to facilitate progression and achievement of key SATMS project tasks.
A key element of the SATMS was the development of the Concept of Operations for Commercial Space Transportation in the National Airspace System (PDF) (CST CONOPS) document. The CST CONOPS is intended to serve as the cornerstone of a foundation upon which a corporate strategy may evolve that will lead to an efficient, modernized NAS with commercial space transportation as an integral component. The CST CONOPS provides a high level, conceptual description of future commercial space transportation operations and how these operations could be managed as they transition through the NAS to and from space.
The NAS Architecture is the FAA's comprehensive plan, or roadmap, for modernizing the NAS. Additionally, the NAS Architecture provides a context for agency investment analysis as well as a basis for NAS acquisition decisions. The CST CONOPS and the SATMS along with other NAS operational concepts, is a vital ingredient to the NAS Architecture in that it provides a "conceptual look" at space transportation industry operations in the future. This conceptual viewpoint will foster consideration of the operational needs of all stakeholders and, in turn, drive new NAS technologies and capabilities that may be leveraged to ensure continued industry growth and vitality.
