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COMMERCIAL SPACEPORTS ROUNDTABLE McLAUGHLIN: :Why do we need all these spaceports and will they all be used? CARMEN: Different spaceports are able to accommodate different categories of space vehicles. The type of vehicle to be operated is frequently captured during the spaceport licensing process since most spaceports are collabora ve efforts between spaceport operators and space vehicle operators. BERGMANN: Spaceports provide the facili es and infrastructure for conduc ng commercial space opera ons. Most spaceports will see space ac vity since they are operator funded. However, opening a spaceport is a complex financial and technological endeavor that requires overcoming mul ple hurdles before becoming ac ve and some mes everything doesn't lineup. PRESTRUDE: Obtaining a spaceport license and a space vehicle license are two different processes with two different pathways requiring two different FAA LOAs. Some spaceports have been purposely built by vehicle manufacturers while others have a empted to get ahead by obtaining licenses in an cipa on of finding a viable operator. McLAUGHLIN: If the spaceport gets approved, does that guarantee rockets will fly? How many more spaceports are in process? CARMEN: The spaceport license grants the approval to conduct opera ons but a vehicle operator must s ll obtain an independent launch free entry license for each vehicle pla orm. BERGMANN: The Office of Commercial Space (AST) is always interac ng with a variety of poten al operators proposing to obtain licensing. Currently, there are three highly viable contenders plus an addi onal license being granted to an exis ng operator which is SpaceFlorida at Cape Canaveral. The new applicants are proposing opera ons in Titusville, Florida, Camden, Georgia, and Huntsville, Alabama. McLAUGHLIN: A er a spaceport is approved, what happens next in the process? CARMEN: A space vehicle operator must propose opera ons from that spaceport and successfully complete a launch reentry license associated with that vehicle pla orm with AST. A space vehicle operator in the early stages of vehicle development could apply for an experimental mission permit, allowing them to conduct missions while maturing their technology and verifying their business case. PRESTRUDE: There are different concepts being employed to achieve orbital and sub-orbital missions. Among these are tradi onal ver cally-launched rockets, "cap ve carry" missions using a fixed wing mothership, fixed-wing re-entry vehicles, and manned capsule re-entries such the Boeing Starliner. McLAUGHLIN: We know the big companies that have been in business for a while like SpaceX, Virgin, and Blue Origin. Are there other en es on the rise that have a viable plan? What are other uses besides watching people and big satellite into orbit? CARMEN: The Commercial Spaceflight Federa on is composed of dozens of en es that have business models that will impact commercial space. Some are vehicle operators, some are brokers for rocket payload, and some are working on en rely different business models like a cube satellites aimed at distribu ng worldwide global Internet. BERGMANN: Mul ple companies are specializing in providing access to orbital flight for smaller players like universi es, college and public school STEM programs. RideShare is an industry collabora ve effort to provide access to the smaller en es that would otherwise be shut out of launch access due to limited financial resources. Tuesday's agenda at CFS includes a Commercial Space panel beginning at 1:30 p.m. PDT. There is also a Commercial Space booth in the exhibit hall. As a primer for visi ng the booth, below is a Commercial Spaceports Roundtable discussion, featuring Kevin McLaughlin, NATCA Commercial Space Representa ve and JSpOG observer, Mark Prestrude, NATCA En Route Technology Coordinator and JSpOG observer, Harry Bergmann, Space Opera ons Specialist and JSpOG member, and Garre Carmen, Aerospace Engineer, Office of Commercial Space Transporta on (AST) and JSpOG member. COMMUNICATING FOR SAFETY Tuesday, October 23 10

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