Federal AviationAdministrationFederal AviationAdministration

International Strategy

FAA Office of CommercialSpace Transportation

John Sloan

Federal Aviation Administration

Office of Commercial Space Transportation

October 30, 2008

Presented to COMSTAC

2 2Federal AviationAdministration

Office of Commercial Space Transportation

October 30, 2008

International Strategy

• Promotion of FAA commerical space transportation regulations as a model for other countries to adopt

– U.S. industry can operate with similar regulatory approaches worldwide

– U.S. leadership – Eventually lead to harmonization of international space

transportation safety regulations– Foundation to address issues including future Point to Point

travel

• Recognize ITAR and U.S. export policies remain

3 3Federal AviationAdministration

Office of Commercial Space Transportation

October 30, 2008

AST International Strategy Goals

• Increase the international competitiveness of the U.S. commercial space transportation industry

• Advance international safety by facilitating the adoption of U.S. regulations

• Fulfill AST mission statement– To ensure protection of the public, property, and the national

security and foreign policy interests of the United States during commercial launch or reentry activities, and to encourage, facilitate, and promote U.S. commercial space transportation

• Fulfill FAA Flight Plan that applies to space transportation

• Establish a baseline to work from

4 4Federal AviationAdministration

Office of Commercial Space Transportation

October 30, 2008

2008 Activity• AST strategy approval• Increased involvement with FAA International office (API) • State Department approval to promote regulations• Bilateral discussions in Scotland at the International Astronautical

Congress – United Kingdom- British National Space Centre– Sweden- Swedish Space Corporation (Spaceport Sweden) and Sweden

National Space Board– Singapore – Economic Development Board

• Started a new committee with the International Astronautical Federation – Commercial Spaceflight Safety Committee– ELVs, RLVs, robotic spacecraft– Tri-chairs: FAA, Virgin Galactic, Swedish Space Corporation– Membership to the committee is open to anyone– Start to build relationships, identify common interests – Eventually forum for papers, presentations to meet at the annual

International Astronautical Congress

5 5Federal AviationAdministration

Office of Commercial Space Transportation

October 30, 2008

U.S. Government Views

• Emerging U.S. Government Positions – Too early for international safety standards on human space

flight– Too early for an “ICAO for Space”– Recommend bring international issues into United Nations

process (Committee On Peaceful Uses of Outer Space)

6 6Federal AviationAdministration

Office of Commercial Space Transportation

October 30, 2008

Feedback on International Support

• August 2008 Question from FAA to COMSTAC: “Besides ITAR and U.S. technology export issues, how can the FAA help the U.S. space transportation industry internationally?”

• Summary of initial replies: – Seek adoption of U.S. regulations as a model by other countries– Recognize that how FAA regulates U.S. industry is influential

internationally– Facilitation of U.S. companies when they decide to launch in other

countries including international agreements similar to aviation– Advocate purchase of U.S. products and services, study incentives– Competitive, Level Playing Field issues–

• Indemnification renewal, foreign government subsidization of launch vehicles and sites, and foreign teaming with China for Long March which undercuts US prices.

• Final reply from COMSTAC November 7– Prepared by RLV Working Group chair

7 7Federal AviationAdministration

Office of Commercial Space Transportation

October 30, 2008

Items of Interest

• Some European proponents want to establish global safety standards, certification and regulations before vehicles emerge

• Currently no pan-European authority to regulate commercial space transportation

– However, in October 2008, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) announced intention to certify “suborbital aircraft” carrying people on space flights. Full report has not yet been released.

– European Space Agency is not supporting European industry• Position of “cautious interest” expressed by ESA

• Regulatory Authority will likely be established by the host country to start out.

• Countries currently evaluating or developing new commercial space launch regulations in various stages:

– Sweden – United Kingdom – Japan – Singapore