Commercial Space Transportation Update Federal Aviation Administration Presentation to the Aeronautics and Space May 12, 2009
Mission Statement for the Office of Commercial Space Transportation To ensure the protection of the public, property, and the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States during commercial launch and reentry activities, and to encourage, facilitate, and promote U.S. commercial space transportation. Federal Aviation 1 Administration 1
8 Licensed Launches in Last 12 Months Federal Aviation 2 Administration 2
WhiteKnightTwo Carrier Aircraft Federal Aviation 3 Administration 3
Falcon I Launch Federal Aviation 4 Administration 4
Richard Garriott and Charles Simonyi Fly as Space Tourists Federal Aviation 5 Administration 5
Armadillo Aerospace Wins LLC Federal Aviation 6 Administration 6
SpaceX 9-Engine Test Firing Federal Aviation 7 Administration 7
Human Space Flight Safety Report Federal Aviation 8 Administration 8
Amateur Rocket Final Rule Federal Aviation 9 Administration 9
Spaceport America in New Mexico Federal Aviation 10 Administration 10
Commercial Resupply Services Contract Award Federal Aviation 11 Administration 11
WhiteKnightTwo Takes to the Air Federal Aviation 12 Administration 12
Falcon 9 Pad Tests Federal Aviation 13 Administration 13
Federal Aviation 14 Administration 14
Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Federal Aviation 15 Administration 15
Shuttle Retirement in 2010 Federal Aviation 16 Administration 16
Suborbital RLVs Are Coming Soon! Federal Aviation 17 Administration 17
FY2010 AST Budget Request $14,737,000 (an increase of 4.5% from 2009) 71 full-time staff members Federal Aviation 18 Administration 18
AST Core Functions Increased Safety: Range Operations Space Traffic Management Licensing Rulemaking Safety Inspections Experimental Permits Safety Approvals Tools & Analysis Greater Capacity Environmental Reviews Enabling Industry International Leadership International Outreach Organizational Excellence Training & Development Cog-E Network Resource Management Federal Aviation 19 Administration 19
FY2010 AST Budget 24% Increased Safety Greater Capacity 3% 24% 49% International Leadership Organizational Excellence Federal Aviation 20 Administration 20
Issues Requiring Government Attention Current Indemnification Regime expires in December 2009 Industry has recommended removing the cap and eliminating the sunset provision Options were described in a Congressionally-requested report prepared in 2006 Federal Aviation 21 Administration 21
Other Items for Discussion Recent on-orbit collisions suggest the potential need to strengthen on-orbit regulatory oversight We are investigating the potential benefits of establishing a Spaceport Infrastructure Grant program that would be similar to existing Airport Improvement Grants Creation of a Center of Excellence for Commercial Space Transportation could help to focus academic research and enable significant developments in key technical areas Federal Aviation 22 Administration 22
Conclusions The next 2-3 years will be a critical time period for our nation s space program During this period, we are likely to see: Retirement of the Space Shuttle Demonstration of commercial cargo deliveries to the International Space Station Start of Commercial Human Space Flight operations Congress, through the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act, has challenged the FAA to encourage, facilitate, and promote the new activities in a way that continuously improves their safety. The Office of Commercial Space Transportation is committed to doing our part to enable industry s progress Federal Aviation 23 Administration 23