Regulatory aspects for launch activities in a future space traffic management regime

Abstract

Dr. Kai-Uwe Schrogl, German Aerospace Center DLR In summer 2006, the International Academy of Astronautics will publish a study on “Space Traffic Management”. This study was prepared by a group of almost twenty international experts. It was coordinated by Corinne Contant, Petr Lala and Kai-Uwe Schrogl. This study investigates, how space activities should be organized in the future. For the purpose of the study, space traffic management is defined the following way: “Space traffic management means the set of technical and regulatory provisions for promoting safe access into outer space, operations in outer space and return from outer space to Earth free from physical or radio-frequency interference.” This paper presents the study results, which are of particular relevance to the area of launch activities. It sheds particular light on the information needs (notification and registration) as well as regulatory requirements, in order to cope with a rising amount of launch activities in the framework of a comprehensive space traffic management system.