Space Traffic Control Program Faces Resistance from Space Force

Space Traffic Control Program Faces Resistance from Space Force

The proposed cancellation of the Commerce Department's Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS) program, as outlined in the fiscal 2026 budget request, has sparked significant pushback from industry groups and the Space Force. The program, which is nearly ready and set to revolutionise space traffic management, is seen as a critical component in ensuring the safety and efficiency of space operations.

TraCSS, a system designed to coordinate the movement of spacecraft and other objects in space to prevent collisions and ensure safe operations, is a crucial part of space traffic management. As the congestion in Earth's orbit increases due to an influx of satellites and other space objects, the necessity of such a system becomes increasingly apparent.

The Space Force, which had the de facto mission to manage space traffic for decades, recognises the importance of TraCSS in maintaining the safety and efficiency of space operations. They argue that without a robust and coordinated system like TraCSS, space operations could become more hazardous and less efficient. Moreover, the cancellation could undermine the U.S. ability to manage space traffic effectively, which is crucial for both military and civilian space activities.

Industry groups, including a broad coalition of seven trade groups representing some 450 space companies, are appealing to Congress to reverse the decision to cancel TraCSS. They see value in maintaining a government-led initiative for space traffic management, which can provide a stable framework for all stakeholders involved in space operations.

The opposition reflects a broader concern about the long-term implications of reducing investment in critical space infrastructure and management systems. Richard DalBello, who headed the Office of Space Commerce at NOAA during the Biden administration, disputes the NOAA's conclusion that commercial providers can handle the space traffic management mission. He highlights that it will take time for private service operators to develop offerings and for satellite operators to determine which capabilities to pay for.

The Trump administration's plan to cancel or transfer TraCSS out of government control is also seen as a threat to the program's continued development and implementation. The administration argues that the private sector should be responsible for tracking satellites and warning operators about potential collisions. However, Steve Jordan Tomaszewski, vice president for space systems at the Aerospace Industries Association, compares civilian space situational awareness needs to civilian air traffic control and argues that it wouldn't make sense for the military to take on this mission.

The NOAA's budget justification for zeroing out TraCSS pins responsibility on the Biden administration for not getting the program going in time. Shutting down TraCSS would save $55 million annually, according to the NOAA. However, the potential savings come at the cost of a critical system for managing space traffic, a service that is increasingly important in the increasingly congested space environment.

In response to questions about the cuts, NOAA spokesperson referred questions to the Office of Management and Budget, which did not respond to a request for comment. The pushback from the Space Force and industry groups against the potential cancellation of TraCSS underscores the importance of a robust and coordinated system for managing space traffic to ensure the safety and efficiency of space operations.

1. The Space Force, which has been managing space traffic for decades, views TraCSS as a critical component in maintaining the safety and efficiency of space operations, as its cancellation could lead to less efficient and riskier space operations.
2. Industry groups, consisting of over 450 space companies, have appealed to Congress to reverse the decision to cancel TraCSS, emphasizing the importance of a government-led initiative for space traffic management in providing a stable framework for all stakeholders involved in space operations.
3. Richard DalBello, former head of the Office of Space Commerce at NOAA, disputes the NOAA's conclusion that commercial providers can handle the space traffic management mission, arguing that it will take time for private service operators to develop offerings and for satellite operators to determine which capabilities to pay for.
4. The administration's plan to transfer TraCSS out of government control is seen as a threat to the program's continued development and implementation, with critics arguing that civilian space situational awareness needs, similar to civilian air traffic control, don't make sense for the military to take on this mission.
5. The potential cancellation of TraCSS, which is designed to prevent collisions and ensure safe operations in the increasingly congested space environment, could result in a savings of $55 million annually, according to the NOAA, but at the cost of a critical system for managing space traffic, a service that is crucial for both military and civilian space activities.

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