Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee

1. Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee Systems Working Group Final Report May 11, 2012

2. Systems Working Group Agenda

3. Systems Working Group The Systems Working Group (SWG) identifies and analyzes key safety, technical, policy, and regulatory issues concerning the range of hardware and software involved with commercial space transportation. This will include both expendable launch vehicles and reusable launch vehicles.

4. Lessons Learned DatabaseBackground • During October 2011 meeting, COMSTAC developed the following finding “COMSTAC finds that it would be beneficial for the FAA to develop a process for disclosing to the industry pertinent data from reported safety critical anomalies, mishaps, incidents, and precursors where relevant to current and future operations. Such a process needs to protect proprietary data and comply with relevant export control policies whiles still fostering the continuous safety improvement of the industry” • Subsequently, the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics asked AST: “Do you have a model in mind for a system to exchange lessons learned data between government and industry?”

5. Lessons Learned Database • Observations SWG O1 - CSTLLS Database has gone largely unpopulated and unused. Companies that share data with AST have not been willing to share with other companies • Recommendations SWG R1 – COMSTAC recommends AST work with COMSTAC to look at a framework for data sharing.

6. Human Spaceflight Requirements - Background • When regulations are required, it will be a major undertaking taking several years to assemble them • Best practices are out there – we can and should begin the work to collect them, organize them, and think about how they might be structured in the future • AST is motivated by the concern that if a mishap occurs, an emergency rulemaking will be mandated….if unprepared, a rushed response may result in poor quality regulations • The process is only just beginning and nothing is cast in stone • The process will take significant time, so the discussion must start now if we want a quality product • AST wants to engage industry early through COMSTAC, and continuously every step of the way – as much as permitted by law

7. Human Spaceflight Requirements - Background Need Statement A set of regulations which neither stifle technology development nor expose occupants to avoidable risks. Our goals are to develop a set of regulations that: • Protect occupants from avoidable risks. • Leverage existing knowledge of human spaceflight safety. • Are easily understood. • Are performance-based to the greatest extent possible. • Are applicable to all known likely system designs/uses • Do not restrict innovation. • Will minimize cost burden on industry. • Will be easily updated with new knowledge and as technology evolves.

8. Human Spaceflight Requirements • Observations SWG O2 - COMSTAC finds that the Administrative Procedures Act restrictions present challenges to rulemaking • Recommendations SWG R2 - COMSTAC recommends AST continue to work with industry to assess and develop human spaceflight requirements. These interactions should include face to face meetings and telephone calls with COMSTAC members.

9. Suborbital Market ReportBackground • 10 year forecast of markets for launches of reusable suborbital vehicles • Effort is jointly funded by FAA and Space Florida • Builds on Spring 2011 Suborbital Market Characterization study and Fall 2011 FAA Suborbital Report • Those studies identified & characterized 7 market segments for suborbital vehicles and summarized suborbital suppliers • This study adds an 8th market, Satellite/UAV Deployment, which is for payloads launched or inserted from the suborbital vehicle • This study takes those markets and conducts demand-based forecasts for each market segment • Market forecasts are combined to develop a consolidated 10 year forecast and evaluated against the forecasted supply