Space traffic management is defined by the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) as "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."^[1]

Space traffic includes launch vehicles, as well as orbiting objects such as satellites of all sizes and the International Space Station. Space debris risk mitigation is major concern because collision with space debris can destroy vehicles and other space assets.^[2]

Policy Making

Policy making can be performed on a different scales on a national level and on an international level, to establish international cooperation that will coordinate the activities of all nations to avoid collision, space debris, and the loss of space assets and services. The United Nations bureau most concerned with space traffic management is the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).

Space diplomacy & Space traffic

Bringing objects into outer space and provide a specific service for earth observation, communication or any other scientific, commercial or military application is not only about technical and domain specific problem solving. Space Diplomacy is involved if specific international negotiations are involved to represent national interests in an international Space Traffic Management. E.g the Global Positioning System (GPS) as a satellite-based infrastructure developed by the U.S. Department of Defense provides the globally available signal for navigation for civilian users and additional encrypted services of U.S. and allied military forces. The European Union (EU) decided to provide an alternative to GPS by building "Galileo" as an independent European satellite navigation system. Space diplomacy is relevant to deal with conflicting national interest and identify international regulations that assure security, efficiency and cooperation for space activities in a sustainable way.

See also

References

Further reading

• United Nations - Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines - January 2010
• "Space Traffic Management: How to Prevent a Real Life 'Gravity'". United States House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. 9 May 2014.
• Space Traffic Management (STM): Balancing Safety, Innovation, and Growth. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. November 2017.
• Safe Operational Above FL 6-0-0, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, November 2015
• How to reach an International Civil A each an International Civil Aviation Organization role in Space Traffic Management: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, November 2014
• Space Traffic Management Concepts Leveraging Existing Frameworks: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, November 2016