A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/1189372
reduction in controller workload and distraction. We will be briefing the National User Team in December to continue working towards getting this functionality deployed. ATCA Annual - I was invited to participate on a commercial space panel at the ATCA annual conference in Washington, the week of Oct. 20. Also participating on the panel was Duane Freer (FAA-AJR11), Caryn Schenewerk (SpaceX), and Andy Cebula (A4A). We presented on time-based launches and maximizing airspace access while accommodating commercial space launches. AST/Nextgen Kickoff - The FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) enlisted ANG at the FAA Tech Center to develop fast-time simulation models to study the effects of an off-nominal event using data from the SpaceX Falcon 9 breakup. They submitted a request to secure one SME each from ZNY, ZDC, ZJX, ZMA, and DCC to participate in a series of telcons to gain their operational perspectives. This study should begin in the second quarter of fiscal year 2020. Commercial Space Integration Team (CSIT) - The CSIT met on Oct. 29 for its monthly meeting. A presentation was given by MITRE regarding joint use of SUAs for commercial space activities. Commercial space operators wish to use SUA for launch and reentry activity. The DoDs position is that it does not allow joint use of SUA's for commercial activity, although I cited an example of Gulfstream Aerospace's use of east coast warning areas as an example of how this is not necessarily accurate. We received a briefing on the ICAO 40th Assembly, which concluded last month. The Assembly adopted a resolution that reaffirms the role of ICAO in developing policy guidance where international commercial space operations intersect with international civil aviation in coordination with the United Nations Office of Outer Space. This resolution directs the Council to consult with states on the role of ICAO, and coordinate with states, government and non- governmental organizations, and relevant UN organizations to monitor progress and the evolution of commercial space transport, and address emerging issues including the impact on civil aviation operations. The final CSIT meeting of 2019 was held on Nov. 19. SDI SRMP - An SRMP was held for the Space Data Integrator (SDI) the week of Nov. 4 to identify risks associated with operationalizing the SDI prototype within the JSpOG at the Command Center. NATCA was represented by two voting members, myself and Mark Prestrude. A myriad of issues arose with regard to the scope of the panel, Agency policy and basic equipment functionality. Ultimately the panel reached no definitive resolutions and will reconvene in early 2020 after receiving clarifying direction from FAA leadership. H-RAM testing - We recently became aware that ANG is planning a test of the hazard-risk assessment and management software at the FAA's Florida testbed. While they are currently only studying hardware and data-flow possibilities, they will soon use data provided by SpaceX on their upcoming inflight-abort test in an attempt to generate real-time hazard areas on an ERAM display. I had discussions with several ANG managers, and they agreed to include NATCA in the discussion and testing as it progresses. DATACOMM Ray Berndt (ZJX) is the Article 114 Rep for DataComm. His report is below: As of Nov. 8, several improvements to the DataComm Network Service have been successfully installed and the two key sites, ZID and ZKC, are now running on ERAM EAE300 release. The