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National Space Traffic Management Policy

This Space Policy Directive establishes a national framework for space traffic management (STM), directing the Department of Commerce to assume civil responsibility for space situational awareness data and collision avoidance services from the Department of Defense. It sets goals for advancing space safety science and technology, mitigating orbital debris, encouraging commercial space leadership, and developing international standards for space operations.

Federal Register Open PDF 83 FR 28969

Impact dates

  1. Assessment of statutory and regulatory changes for SSA data transfer

  2. Options for establishing open architecture data repository

  3. Plan for providing basic SSA data and basic STM services

  4. Standards and protocols for open architecture data repository

Key directives

  • Department of Commerce designated as civil agency responsible for publicly releasable portion of DoD catalog and open architecture data repository
  • Department of Commerce designated as focal point for on-orbit collision avoidance support service
  • NASA Administrator to lead update of U.S. Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices
  • Secretaries of Defense and Commerce to assess statutory and regulatory changes needed for SSA data transfer
  • Secretary of Commerce to develop options for open architecture data repository
  • Secretary of Defense to maintain authoritative catalog of space objects
  • Multiple agency heads to develop space traffic standards and best practices

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Department of Commerce designated as civil agency for public SSA data repository and collision avoidance services
  • Secretary of Commerce authorized to publish directive in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

  • Plan development for providing basic SSA data and STM services
  • Assessment of statutory/regulatory changes needed for SSA data transfer
  • Development of standards and protocols for open architecture data repository

Long term

  • Update of Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices
  • Establishment of open architecture SSA data repository
  • Development of space traffic standards and best practices for international adoption
  • Active debris removal pursuit
  • Integration of safety standards into federal law and regulation

Risks & tensions

  • Tension between DoD national security focus and civil/commercial space traffic management needs
  • Uncertainty about timeline specificity—directive uses 'should' and 'will' but lacks firm deadlines
  • Potential jurisdictional friction between Commerce, Defense, and Transportation over licensing and regulatory authority
  • International adoption of U.S.-led standards not guaranteed
  • Technical and economic feasibility of open architecture repository unproven
Other: National Space Traffic Management Policy · Executive Orders