Towards a European Space Traffic Management System

Abstract

We summarize the main results from an evaluation study which we conducted on behalf of ESA with the aim to identify key pillars for a European Space Traffic Management (STM) system. Our primary focus is on suborbital space transportation, specifically on point-to-point (p2p) connections for human space travel/cargo transportation (including vertical ballistic joyrides), on satellite deployment via air launch systems and on the safe integration of spacecraft with an evolving Air Traffic Management (ATM) system. A Reference Operations Scenario (ROS) is discussed against which the potential European STM system is designed, playing a fundamental role in the ATM and STM integration process. Initial results from simulations of a hypothetical suborbital p2p flight are presented. They indicate that those flights are generally feasible regarding collision risks with traceable space debris/objects. Considering, however, non-traceable space debris/objects, a clear gap between the minimum size of detectable objects and the maximum size of objects against which spacecraft can be shielded becomes obvious. If not properly mitigated, the risk caused by this gap could become a show stopper for commercial suborbital space flights. Finally, the Top 10 list of issues is presented that need to be tackled before a European STM system is ready for implementation.