NATCA Bookshelf

Joint Space Operations Group (JSpOG) - The JSPoG met at the Command Center on Nov. 8 and 20. It was decided that no LOA talks regarding winged reentries would begin until Acceptable Level of Risk (ALR) issues regarding winged reentries are resolved. Current ALR procedures are not applicable to returning winged vehicles, although ATO executives will be briefed and decide the practicality of applying ALR in the coming month. A data analysis of utilizing split-7 hazard areas for launches at Cape Canaveral was conducted and shows that a 30% reduction in the amount of effected aircraft was achieved. This primarily was due to the combination of time-based launch procedures and ALR. Commercial Space NOTAMS - A stakeholder meeting was held to discuss many outstanding issues with NOTAMs associated with space launch and reentries. Represented was ALPA, A4A, AOPA, NBAA, and airline dispatchers. It was agreed to utilize plain-language descriptions of THAs/AHAs until a DCP defining AHAs/THAs in the PCG takes effect in January. Both FAA and industry agreed to start the process toward the official creation of defined and regulated AHA/THA airspace. This process can take nearly a decade. There were many questions raised as to the applicability of ATC services within a THA and when those services begin or end based on a myriad of variables. It was decided the ALR team would create a Q&A for THAs to spell out intent and alleviate confusion. CSIT restructure - The Commercial Space Integration Team (CSIT) could potentially be undergoing a restructure of the team. As currently chartered, it is a director-level workgroup which is intended to provide policy and guidance of issues relating to commercial space. NATCA is a chartered core participant of this team. The problem is very few of the FAA's directors show up to the meetings which are only one hour long, once per month. The new AJV-S manager in collaboration with the AJR SpaceOps manager have been drafting plans for a CSIT replacement. The existing CSIT charter provides a remedy for modifying the charter of the existing team, and that must be followed with full involvement of all chartered core participants. All movement on the effort of creating a new team will be halted until a discussion and consensus is reached at the regularly scheduled January CSIT meeting. Monthly SDI meeting - The SRMP for the operationalization of the Space-Data Integrator will be continued in January after a myriad of unanswered questions came to light at the November SRMP attempt. Meanwhile progress continues toward building the product that will eventually provide decision support during launch/reentries within the JSpOG at the command center. A test lab will be created at the Tech Center and HITLs with SMEs are in the planning stages. SDI Phase 2 and Space Integrations Capabilities (SIC) will be transitioned from AJV into the PMO in January after the SIC- IIRD in December. There was an SDI all-hands meeting on Dec. 11, and NATCA was a participant. 30th Space Wing LOA - The LOA for the 30th Space Wing at Vandenberg Air Force Base is nearly complete. I raised a question about whose responsibility it would be for issuance of THA NOTAMS, and there was a disagreement on who the responsible party

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