Mechanisms supporting improved multi-stakeholder coordination of launch and re-entry traffic integration

Abstract

In the context of the growing commercial space sector, future launch range facilities are facing changing conceptual and operational constraints. Thus, in order to be able to carry out a high frequency of launches and re-entries in the future more finely tuned processes will be needed to coordinate with all the stakeholders involved in and affected by space operations. Therefore, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) is developing a Launch Coordination Center (LCC) to provide services for efficient integration of launch and re-entry operations into the air traffic system for spaceports of all kinds. In addition, an interface to maritime authorities is also considered. The LCC will support traffic integration as early as the planning phase and allow minimization of impact on air traffic while considering mission requirements. In doing so, efficient procedures for scheduling launch and re-entry activities and multi-stakeholder coordination will be provided. Coordination and data exchange will also be supported by automated functions during execution to increase stakeholder situational awareness and ensure safe and efficient operations. At the same time, the spacecraft trajectory and the surrounding air and maritime traffic are monitored. In addition, functions are provided for postprocessing to analyze planned and actual data from the previous phases.