During a recent space subcommittee hearing, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, emphasized the importance of technology in ensuring safety and advancing innovation in commercial space activities. The hearing included testimony from representatives of various government agencies involved in space regulation and oversight.
Senator Cantwell specifically asked the witnesses about the technological challenges faced by the federal government in overseeing space commercialization and ensuring safety. She highlighted the need to address workforce shortages and redundancy issues in the certification program for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Richard Dalbello, the NOAA Director of Office of Space Commerce, spoke about the rapid pace of space commercialization and the increasing number of commercial satellites being launched. He emphasized the need for improved space situational awareness (SSA) and tracking systems to manage the growing number of objects in space. Dalbello also highlighted the potential risks associated with communication interference and the presence of tens of thousands of objects in low-earth orbit.
Kelvin Coleman, the FAA Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation, discussed the challenge of accommodating the increasing number of space launches alongside commercial aviation activities. He mentioned procedural, policy, and technological changes being implemented to better manage the proliferation of space activities in the National Airspace System.
John Hill, the DOD Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space and Missile Defense, emphasized the need to incorporate the growing volume of space vehicles into space surveillance networks. He highlighted the challenge of maintaining pace with advancing technology and understanding orbital dynamics. Hill also mentioned the potential for autonomous control and increased carrying capacity in low-earth orbit.
Pam Melroy, the NASA Deputy Administrator, addressed the importance of space domain awareness for collision avoidance and accountability in safety operations. She emphasized the need to understand the explosive potential of new propellants and the importance of technology enabling spectrum sharing. Melroy also mentioned the significance of continued research on nuclear power and propulsion for deep space capabilities.
Senator Cantwell concluded the hearing by requesting the witnesses to provide written answers regarding the top technological challenges in commercial space. She emphasized the need for a comprehensive understanding of these challenges to ensure the right technology support, oversight, and coordination between different government agencies involved in space regulation.
The hearing highlighted the rapid deployment of next-generation technology in commercial space and the importance of advancing technology to ensure safety. It also emphasized the need for collaboration and coordination between government agencies to effectively address the technological challenges posed by the growing commercial space industry.
To find out more, go to this link: https://www.commerce.senate.gov/2023/12/cantwell-focuses-on-advancing-technology-to-ensure-safety-in-commercial-space-at-subcommittee-hearing
