2020 Updates on Interoperable air and space traffic management

Kurzfassung

Task 375 on Interoperable Air and Space Traffic Management at the FAA Center of Excellence for Commercial Space Transportation is performed by the German Aerospace Center DLR, which is an associated member of the COE. The task benefits the global commercial space industry by preparing the European ATM system for the growth of space launch and reentry activities, also within the area of the European continent. Space vehicles shall operate within the European air traffic system in sustainable, efficient and safe ways and under interoperability criteria. The task therefore is performing impact assesments for specific types of space operation related to launch and reentry within Europe. It is working on solutions to optimize airspace usage and minimizing space operation related airspace segregation. For this it makes use of air traffic information management standards based on SWIM, the system wide information management for ATM. Current work is related to the collaboration between DLR Institute of Flight Guidance and FAA AST. Together interoperable solutions to integrate space flight into ATM on an international level are being developed. The results of the Master Thesis performed by Carmo Klünker are supporting this work and will be presented. The developed solution allows for a fast and precise response by air traffic control to non-nominal events during launch and reentry, like for example an on-trajectory explosion. It is using data provision mechanisms to timely visualize hazard area information at the ATCO level, allowing them to initiate measures protecting aircraft from potential falling debris. Upcoming work will focus on pan European procedures for space vehicle operation and enhanced functions of SWIM services for space flight operations.