Better Info Sharing Seen as Key for Improved Space Sustainability

Space operations need more data sharing and openness about who is operating where, satellite operators and space industry representatives and regulators said Tuesday in an FCBA CLE. Multiple speakers expressed the need for more global, integrated rules as well as added consistency in space situational awareness (SSA) data.

Far more transparency among operators would be a big improvement, said David Goldman, SpaceX vice president-satellite policy. While SpaceX uploads DOD-collected data to help its satellites autonomously maneuver to avoid threats, the completeness and accuracy of that data could be better, he said. He said there's a problem with launches, particularly from foreign operators, that don't disclose such SSA data. Terrestrial radar eventually picks up those launched satellites, but until then "people are driving at night without their headlights on," he said. Suzanne Malloy, SES vice president-legal and regulatory affairs, said geostationary orbit operators' information sharing should be a model for what happens in low earth orbit. Chris Kunstadter, space head at insurer AXA XL, argued for tracking devices on all satellites. He said just 10% of the roughly 500 small satellites launched so far via SpaceX Transporter missions are cataloged. The result can be a lack of clarity about points of contact if a collision seems imminent, he said.

International focus on space sustainability has increased, with U.S. regulatory and policy efforts leading the trend, said Rodolphe Munoz, European Commission space traffic management and SSA head. At the same time, the EC is very conscious of the danger of overregulation, he said. Rodrigo Cruz Gebrim, head-spectrum, satellite and broadcasting division at Brazilian telecom regulator Anatel, called for integrated actions that lead to general, universal rules for space-faring nations. Peng Zhao, Global Satellite Operator’s Association vice president-policy and regulatory, said GSAO’s space sustainability code of conduct issued in 2023 (see 2311130016) is “just a first step,” with work next on best practices or guidelines.

ITU Radiocommunication Bureau Director Mario Maniewicz said that while the ITU's mandate doesn't cover physical space and orbital debris, it supports the idea of guidelines for debris mitigation. He said it invites space actors to share deorbiting plans for current and upcoming satellite missions, including timetables and maneuverability capabilities. Maniewicz said having clear rules and norms to ensure equitable access to space resources is crucial.

A challenge for sustainability is new and emerging space activities that could raise sustainability issues -- such as on-orbit servicing and manufacturing -- don't fit the U.S. licensing regime, said Gabriel Swiney, director of Commerce’s Office of Space Commerce Policy, Advocacy and International Division. He said Congress must update the regulatory system so that someone can have the regulatory authority. This would allow policy discussions about rules for emerging activities to make headway.

LeoLabs General Counsel Christine Purvis said an agreed-upon “source of truth” for SSA data is needed, and it would be helpful if the world, including other operators, were working off that same data source.

Nations that are less open are "a big problem" for space data sharing, as lines of communication with them can be limited, said SpaceX's Goldman. He said there also can be hesitancy about providing information to the U.S. government and its space sustainability awareness monitoring. "At the same time, we don't have a better place to go," Goldman said: The challenge is finding a venue for information sharing that makes all nations feel comfortable.

Commerce’s Traffic Coordination System for Space SSA system will rely on DOD data at first, but Commerce is working toward integrating data from other sources, Swiney said. A “1.0 version” of TraCSS should be ready for beta users by year’s end. Taking over the responsibility for public-facing SSA data from DOD Is “an enormous process,” he said.