Commerce Department Makes Progress in Establishing Civil Space Traffic Coordination System
The Commerce Department is making strides in its efforts to establish a civil space traffic coordination system, according to Richard DalBello, director of the Office of Space Commerce. The system, known as the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS), will rely on both commercial and government data to ensure the safety and coordination of civil space activities.
DalBello highlighted the progress made by the office during a panel discussion at the AMOS Conference in Hawaii. He noted that when he took over as director in May 2022, there was a lack of staff, but the office has since been steadily hiring and aims to have 50 personnel by next year. This increased staffing is facilitated by a larger budget, with $70 million allocated for fiscal year 2023, allowing the office to effectively utilize the funds.
The Office of Space Commerce plans to utilize a significant portion of the budget on commercial services. Approximately $17 million will be spent on commercial infrastructure, while $41 million will go towards commercial space situational awareness data, services, and pathfinders that will support TraCSS. However, government resources will also play a crucial role in TraCSS, particularly the data provided by the Department of Defense (DOD). DalBello acknowledged the support received from DOD and NASA, with the latter focusing on research and development activities related to TraCSS.
To further enhance TraCSS, the Space Force has pledged increased support. Barbara Golf, strategic advisor for space domain awareness, stated that the Space Force will provide the Commerce Department with more accurate catalog information, surpassing the currently available information through the Space-Track service. Starting from spring next year, the Commerce Department will receive high-accuracy catalog data every four hours, allowing them to augment it with commercial data.
Gen. Chance Saltzman, chief of space operations for the Space Force, expressed satisfaction with the Commerce Department’s progress in establishing TraCSS. He praised Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo‘s understanding of the resource requirements and commitment to the mission. While the Office of Space Commerce aims to unveil an initial version of TraCSS by late 2024, Saltzman emphasized the importance of readiness rather than rushing the process.
The establishment of the Commerce Department’s role in civil space safety dates back to Space Policy Directive 3 in 2018. The initial progress faced challenges due to funding constraints and questions regarding the suitability of Commerce as the hosting agency for such responsibilities.
Diane Howard, director of commercial space policy on the National Space Council, highlighted how the policy forced early conversations about funding and the roles of the government and private sector. These discussions have shaped the current concept of operations and have evolved to encompass broader issues related to space traffic coordination.
The efforts being made by the Commerce Department and its partners are crucial for maintaining the safety and coordination of civil space activities. As TraCSS continues to develop, it will rely on a combination of commercial and government data to ensure the smooth operation and security of the growing space industry.
