Commercial Space Transportation QUARTERLY LAUNCH REPORT

Special Report:

Space Transportation Forecast Conference, February 9-10, 1999

2nd Quarter 1999 United States Department of Transportation • Federal Aviation Administration Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation 800 Independence Ave. SW Room 331 Washington, D.C. 20591 Special Report SR-1 FAA’s Second Annual Commercial Space Transportation Forecast Conference, February 9-10, 1999

1 OVERVIEW commercial launch and the FAA’s newly- acquired authority to license reentry The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations under the Commercial Space hosted the second annual Commercial Space Launch Act of 1998. She highlighted the Transportation Forecast Conference on FAA’s efforts to develop a Space and Air Tuesday, February 9th and Wednesday, Traffic Management System (SATMS), a February 10th, at the Washington Plaza concept for the seamless and efficient Hotel, located in downtown Washington, integration of commercial launch operations DC. The conference featured four major into the existing air traffic management addresses including the opening keynote system. Ms. Garvey referred to the work on address by Ms. Jane F. Garvey, FAA SATMS as developing the “commercial Administrator. Another major address was space transportation regulatory delivered by Dr. William Gaubatz, infrastructure of the 21st century,” and noted President, Space Clipper International, who that the FAA has organized a team of presented an update of his concept of experts from Commercial Space Spaceways, originally presented at the first Transportation, Air Traffic Services, and the Forecast Conference in 1998. Mr. Tidal Aircraft Certification Service to work on this McCoy, Chairman, Board of Directors for important issue. Ms. Garvey also the Space Transportation Association was announced the initiation of a White House- the guest speaker at the Conference led interagency review that will incorporate Luncheon. Mr. McCoy provided a lively the views of FAA, NASA and the Air Force discussion on the need for the United States on critical space launch range issues. Ms. to achieve dominance in commercial space Garvey called conference participants transportation and the vision necessary for “visionaries” and emphasized the FAA’s this achievement. Dr. Marshall Kaplan, commitment to commercial space Chairman, Launchspace Publications, Inc., transportation, safety for all commercial opened the second day of the conference space transportation activities, and with a presentation entitled “Basic Laws of collaboration with industry and other Reusable Launch Vehicle Design.” organizations to ensure success for the industry. The conference was officially opened by Patricia G. Smith, FAA Associate Seven panels (discussed below) presented a Administrator for Commercial Space cross-section of ideas and perspectives on Transportation. Ms. Smith welcomed the major issues facing the U.S. commercial participants and introduced Administrator space transportation industry. These panels Garvey. Ms. Garvey presented an overview covered a broad range of topics, from the of commercial space transportation FAA’s role as regulator of the commercial developments occurring over 1998, including the one hundredth U.S.-licensed 1 The launch of an Iridium satellite on the Delta 7920- 10 launch vehicle (Boeing), from Vandenberg AFB, on September 8, 1998.

Federal Aviation Administration • Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation 800 Independence Ave. SW Rm. 331 Washington DC 20591 • http://ast.faa.gov/ Special Report SR-2 , to the Air Force as it faces a acceleration, solar and cosmic radiation change in its traditional role and exposure, the effects of weightlessness, in- responsibilities at U.S. launch ranges, and to flight exposure to noise and vibration, and the American people, who stand to reap other hazards. tremendous benefits from the developments brought about by safe, successful, and Gary Hudson, Chief Executive Officer for economical space transportation in the 21st the Rotary Company, rounded out century. the panel with his discussion of the development of the Roton reusable launch The conference concluded with closing vehicle. He noted that the Roton will be the remarks from Mr. Joseph Hawkins, newly only commercial, orbital, piloted launch appointed Deputy Associate Administrator system in the world when it becomes for Commercial Space Transportation. operational in two years. is proposing the use of the Roton for carrying PANEL 1: THE HUMAN ROLE IN SPACE passengers into space for tourism.

The first panel explored safety, medical, PANEL 2: SPACE AND AIR TRAFFIC technology, and economic issues for humans MANAGEMENT SYSTEM traveling to space, whether for recreation, exploration, or work. For insight on actual The SATMS panel provided a discussion of experience in space, the panel included two the operational needs and requirements for American heroes: former Apollo astronauts a future National Airspace System that Pete Conrad and Buzz Aldrin. Pete Conrad integrates all space launch traffic, including outlined some of the professional reentry operations. Panelist Michael Kelly, qualifications he felt would be required for Chairman, Kelly Space and Technology, future flights into space. Dr. Aldrin Inc., compared current launch vehicle discussed his efforts to make space travel operations with proposed reusable launch accessible to all people through his work vehicle (RLV) operations, indicating his with the Share Space Foundation. The belief that future RLV activities would have Foundation examines ways to lower the very little negative impact on air traffic. Lt. costs of transport to space through various General Roger DeKok, Deputy Chief of means, including the use of current NASA Staff for Plans and Programs, U.S. Air Force Shuttle technology for recreational and Headquarters, discussed the role of the Air adventure travel. Force in current air traffic management, including the scheduling of launches, Dr. Melchor Antuñano, President of the collision avoidance for ascent, and tracking Aerospace Medical Association and and cataloging manmade objects in space. representing the FAA’s Office of Aviation General DeKok also discussed how the Air Medicine, provided a fascinating Force’s role would change in future air examination of the vast number of medical traffic management operations. Finally, issues that arise as a result of humans Ronald Morgan, Director of Air Traffic for travelling to space, especially those who the FAA, provided a comparison of current lack the level of physical fitness and training air traffic control services with those required for the rigors of an on-orbit required for space transportation operations environment, such as the typical tourist. He in the future, especially flight over cited a number of risks, including populated areas and reentry.

Federal Aviation Administration • Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation 800 Independence Ave. SW Rm. 331 Washington DC 20591 • http://ast.faa.gov/ Special Report SR-3

PANEL 3: CHANGING ROLES AND Senior Vice President, U.S. Aviation RESPONSIBILITIES AT U.S. LAUNCH Underwriters, provided an examination of RANGES the segment of the insurance market that provides the capacity for launch operations The third panel explored the ways that liability. Finally, Gale Schluter, Vice traditional roles and responsibilities at President and General Manager, Expendable federal launch ranges will evolve as the Launch Systems, The Boeing Company, commercial space industry grows and provided the industry perspective with a spaceports without Air Force safety discussion of indemnification for oversight begin operations. This panel expendable launch vehicle operations. provided views from all of the major players--Air Force Space Command, the PANEL 5: THE LAW IN SPACE—A CASE Eastern and Western ranges, commercial STUDY spaceport operators, and the launch services industry. Panelists included Major General Four lawyers specializing in space law Robert Hinson, Director of Operations, Air participated in a futuristic scenario that Force Space Command; Colonel Kenneth highlighted some of the legal issues that Cinal, Operations Group Commander, 30th could arise over a collision in space. The Space Wing; Edward O’Connor, Executive hypothetical collision involved a reusable Director, Florida Spaceport Authority; launch vehicle operated by a Japanese and Robert Rhodus, Director, Engineering British partnership and an unmanned launch Operations, Lockheed Martin Astronautics; vehicle carrying cargo from a space station and Colonel Philip Benjamin, Commander, located between the Earth and the Moon. 45th Operations Group. The scenario was designed to explore the impact of the Outer Space Treaties and other PANEL 4: FINANCIAL ISSUES IN SPACE aspects of domestic U. S. law on decision- making and planning for activities in space. Several experts brought their perspectives The panelists were John Gantt, Partner, on the financial risks and incentives in Mizrack & Gantt; Franceska Schroeder, exploration, as well as their views on Senior Associate, Winthrop, Stimson, opportunities for doing business in space, to Putnam & Roberts; William English, Special the fourth panel. Gregory Randolph, Vice Counsel, Iridium LLC; and Pamela President and Co-Head of the Structured Meredith, Law Offices of Pamela Meredith. Finance Group for Goldman, Sachs & Company, discussed various aspects of PANEL 6: STATE AND PRIVATE INITIATIVES financing reusable launch services. He ON THE SPACE FRONT outlined the business risks for the RLV sector, described the current market The sixth panel featured state government environment, and predicted continued officials and representatives from private growth for RLV sector. Omar Jaffrey, a and grass-roots organizations discussing the Merrill Lynch specialist in financing for the ways that these entities support and satellite industry sector, provided a market participate in the growth and development of outlook for the satellite industry, also the U.S. commercial space transportation predicting growth for the RLV sector and a sector. The Honorable Andrea Seastrand, very dynamic year for satellite financing. Executive Director of the California Space For space insurance issues, David McKay, and Technology Alliance (CSTA) and

Federal Aviation Administration • Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation 800 Independence Ave. SW Rm. 331 Washington DC 20591 • http://ast.faa.gov/ Special Report SR-4 former member of Congress from Launch System. Colonel Jose Boluda, California’s 22nd District, represented state Director for the Evolved Expendable government. She discussed the development Launch Vehicle (EELV), in the Air Force of a 21-step, three-year strategic plan to Program Executive Office for Space, make California the leading state in space discussed the Air Force program for EELV transportation, education, research, services, development and the methods that the Air and manufacturing. Also representing state Force proposes to reduce launch costs. government support was James Pagliosotti, Director of Government Relations, Aerospace States Association (ASA). Mr. Pagliosotti talked about the work ASA is doing to support commercial space transportation activities at the state government level and the economic development that states are experiencing as a result of these activities. Two space advocacy organizations were also represented on this panel: Craig Dickman presented the goals and activities of Space Explorers, Inc., an organization which has developed a space education program designed specifically for the classroom; and Charles Miller, Chairman of ProSpace Citizens Space Lobby, discussed the efforts of this advocacy group to open the space frontier for all humans.

PANEL 7: ADVANCING LAUNCH TECHNOLOGY

The last panel featured industry and military experts who are working on the development of new and improved launch vehicle technology. Discussion focused on the ways in which these developments can further improve commercial transportation services. Jerry Rising, President, VentureStar, LLC, Lockheed Martin Corporation, talked about his vision for the development of X-33 and VentureStar and the technological advances associated with that effort. Steve Wurst, President, Space Access, LLC, discussed the actions Space Access is taking to bring about safer, more reliable, and cost-effective access to space through the development of the SA-1

Federal Aviation Administration • Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation 800 Independence Ave. SW Rm. 331 Washington DC 20591 • http://ast.faa.gov/