Federal AviationAdministration

May 10-11, 2012

AST / COMSTACIssue Coordination

COMSTAC Meetings

Dr. George Nield

Associate AdministratorFAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation

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A New Direction, A Growing Relationship

• Relationship – Continuous• Ongoing AST/COMSTAC dialogue (vs. twice yearly focus)

• Appropriate teams in AST and COMSTAC cooperating

• Portfolio – Balanced• Crucial issues addressed in context

• Priorities clarified and justified

• Results – Tangible• Activities linked to important goals and concrete results

• Recommendations with visibility and impact

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Several Teams Addressing Issues COMSTAC Working Groups AST Divisions

• Operations • Space Transportation Development

• Systems • Licensing & Evaluation

• Business & Legal • Regulations & Analysis

• Export Control • Safety Inspection

Other AST Units

• Field Offices

• Strategic Planning

• Chief Engineer

• External Relations

• Sr. Attorney (FAA Chief Counsel Ofc.)

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AST TOP 5 ISSUES

1. On-Orbit Authority*

2. Human Spaceflight Support*

3. Spaceport Licensing

4. Lessons Learned Database

5. COMSTAC Work Planning

* High Priorities

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1. On-Orbit Authority for AST

• AST Goal: Maintain physical & legal/regulatory space environment conducive to business growth (i.e., orbital debris mitigation strategy and clarity in USG roles in licensing process) and ensuring that international action supports U.S. industry needs.

• Comments: A high AST priority: AST requests that COMSTAC draft a Recommendation on how the US Government should address on-orbit authority.

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2. Human Spaceflight Support

• AST Goal: Identify industry consensus on best practices to improve quality

• Comments: AST requests that COMSTAC –• decide how to integrate industry views, and• provide feedback on AST’s approach to occupant

safety.

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3. Spaceport Licensing

• AST Goal: Encourage development of spaceports to enhance launch operations

• Comments: AST requests dialogue with COMSTAC –• on the Operations Working Grp. draft survey report, and• on licensing issues in general, including STIM

processes and formulas.

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4. Lessons Learned Database

• AST Goal: Facilitate industry quality & safety improvement

• Comments: AST requests that COMSTAC help resolve intellectual property concerns limiting industry input to database.

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5. COMSTAC Work Planning

• AST Goal: Action to address highest priority industry challenges

• Comments: AST requests COMSTAC feedback on –• the new membership selection process,• the new issue organization approach, and• the new meeting agenda structure.

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Recent Notable COMSTAC Achievements• Indemnification

• COMSTAC Chair’s Congressional testimony & press coverage

• International• COMSTAC representative’s presence at UN COPUOS in

Vienna

• Reports• GSO Launch Report – updated methodology

• Insurance Report – contribution of insurance expertise

• Export Control• Enlisting participation by Members of Congress in meetings

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AST and COMSTAC: Moving Ahead

RelationshipWe will work closely together.

PortfolioWe will pursue a focused agenda.

ResultsWe will make a difference.