Integrating Space Operations into the National Airspace

Space operations originating in the U.S. continue to grow, with over 500 licensed launches to date and more than a dozen licensed spaceports. These operations support research, communications and even tourism. FAA Space Operations Collaborative Decision Making (SpCDM) Manager Elizabeth Assink leads a team of government and industry partners who are working to ensure this rapidly growing industry integrates into the National Airspace System (NAS) safely and efficiently.

“The focus of the Space Collaborative Decision Making program is information exchange and dialogue. The FAA works with all of these groups on a daily basis, but this group allows for reflective discussion,” said Assink. The SpCDM is made up of government and industry entities, both civilian and military, working with the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization (ATO).

The SpCDM is a result of the 2019 Airspace Access Prioritization Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) recommendation, based on the tremendous success of other aviation CDM programs. Notably, NBAA’s Senior Director of Air Traffic Services and Infrastructure Heidi Williams served as an ARC industry leader. Launched in 2021, the SpCDM is chartered for three years.

The rapidly changing ecosystem that makes up the aerospace industry drove the three-year duration, Assink said. After three years, the SpCDM can be renewed or revamped to meet the needs at that time.

Currently the group is working on several tasks, including organizing a library of resources for industry and government use and developing best practices for international space operations. Another subgroup is working to share information produced by the Space Data Integrator, which provides real-time telemetry data to use airspace more efficiently by releasing hazard areas as they clear.

All stakeholders are represented in the SpCDM, including business aviation, Assink said, pointing out that NBAA has participated since the beginning.

“Overall, the Space CDM provides a public/private forum and continues to have open dialogue between aerospace industry and government to ensure more efficient and safe space operations in the NAS,” she said. “If you can get people to understand each other and know each other, we have those relationships and that trust to work with each other for a common purpose.”