Report to COMSTAC of the Space Transportation Operations Working Group

1. Report to COMSTAC of the Space Transportation Operations Working Group

2. Action Item Review & Closure • Survey Results of Economic Impact of Orbital Debris Standard Compliance • 3 responses, will be submitted to FAA/AST Tabled until next STOWG Telecon (due to full agenda!) • CONOPS Report on Reentry Debris • Space Operations Framework

3. Special Topic #1: International Developments in Space Operations • European Union's Proposed "Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities:” Summary & Status • Dr. László Deák , Counselor (Political), Delegation of the European Union to the USA • Richard H. Buenneke, Senior Adviser, Space Policy, Office of Missile Defense and Space Policy, Bureau of Arms Control Verification and Compliance, U.S. Department of State • Scott Pace, Director, Space Policy Institute, George Washington University • Long-Term Sustainability of Space (A United Nations COPOUS Activity): Summary, Status & Opportunity for Industry Input • Ken Hodgkins, Director, Office of Space and Advanced Technology, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of State

4. Background Material • Council of the European Union’s draft “Code of Conduct for Space Activities, October 11, 2010. This was approved by EU Ministers on September 27, 2010, with a tasking to Baroness Ashton, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to engage with other nations “with the aim of establishing a text that is acceptable to the greatest number of countries.” • COPUOS STSC 2011 final report, March 7, 2011. Discussion of working group on long-term sustainability of space activities (LTSSA) in Section XI (pp. 27-30) and Annex IV (pp. 46-49). This establishes four "expert groups" which will start work this year. • Revised draft terms of reference, prepared by Mr. Peter Martinez of South Africa, the working group chair, February 28, 2011. This proposes (in Para 16) inviting contributions of information from “private sector space operators with considerable experience of space activities and other relevant non-governmental organizations.” http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/COPUOS/stsc/2011/docs.html • U.S. input on LTSSA, February 7, 2011. This proposed clustering of topics as well as possible timelines for various elements (a proposal that was accepted in principle by the working group). • Remarks by Frank Rose, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Space and Defense Policy, at the National Space Symposium, April 14, 2011 • http://www.state.gov/t/avc/rls/160816.htm • http://www.spacenews.com/military/110413-pentagon-endorses-code-conduct-space.html

5. Observation #1 • The “EU Code of Conduct” recently came to the attention of the commercial space transportation community. The open dialogue with COMSTAC is part of a broader communication effort that is needed as the Code matures. • The EU Code of Conduct contains issues of interest to the commercial space transportation industry, including ones that come under the FAA/AST purview. For example: • Safety and integrity standards • Proximity and on-orbit operations • Mechanism to investigate proven incidents (orbital debris) • etc • The “Long Term Sustainability of Space” activity is actively soliciting industry input, and COMSTAC is pleased to have been the venue for expanding this discussion to the public and should continue to do so.

6. Proposed Finding #1:European Union’s Code of Conduct and UN Long Term Sustainability of Space Industry input into both activities is necessary, as there are many open issues that can affect commercial space transportation activities. It is important for FAA/AST to voice effects on industry from the perspective of regulations, best practices, standards, orbital debris, proximity operations and incident investigation. COMSTAC should be the mechanism to solicit this input. Both activities need a broader global dialogue, with government and industry, before any “acceptance,” with a goal of a predictable and transparent framework for discussion and any resulting agreements.

7. Special Topic #2: DOD Proposal to Enhance Commercial Interactions at Federal Ranges • Tom Shearer, DOD Executive Agent for Space • Kevin Fleming, AFSPC 45 SW/XPE Background DoD has submitted an FY12 Legislative Proposal to the Hill in an effort to change existing “U.S.C. Title 10 Armed Forces” language to provide better support of the commercial launch industry on federal ranges by removing some legislation impediments to working with the commercial industry. The legislation is intended to enable the U.S. commercial space industry to partner with the Department of Defense and the Department of Transportation to enhance national security, improve assured access to space, and reduce cost of U.S. launch.

8. Proposed Finding #2:DoD Proposal to Enhance Commercial Interactions at Federal Ranges COMSTAC observes that the effort by DoD to expand excess capacity to include industry funding for enhanced capability at the range is useful and the FAA/AST should help consolidate industry comment on the utility of this proposal. Given DoD’s timeline of engaging industry over the summer, STOWG should be utilized as a forum to gather input, such as during its regular telecons. It would be useful for this topic to be formally briefed to the full COMSTAC meeting in October as the DOD proposal will have matured by that time.

9. New Business • Manifest Action Item for CLSRB (Consolidated Launch Schedule Review Board) • Opportunity for input on launch, range, or scheduling operations issues (send to Al Wassel at FAA/AST) • FAA/AST Request: COMSTAC Review of 2004 U.S. Space Transportation Policy • FAA/AST Public Meeting on Regulatory Approach for Commercial Orbital Human Spaceflight

10. Next Meeting & Venues • Periodic telecons will continue, enabling dialogue on action items, special topics, and other topics that come to attention • Submit your email address to Sue Lender to get on the distribution list • Suggestion for STOWG to meet during AIAA Space 2011 conference in Long Beach (Sept 26-29, 2011) • Details to be worked

11. STOWG ContactSend your email to get on the STOWG distribution list Debra Facktor Lepore, Chair President, DFL Space LLC Industry Professor, Stevens Institute of Technology debra@DFLspace.com Sue Lender, FAA/AST Susan.Lender@faa.gov 11