Message from the Chairman Archives - Global Spaceport Alliance

Advancing Spaceport Innovation and Economic Growth Through Worldwide Collaboration

On October 13, 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Office of Commercial Space Transportation, in collaboration with the Global Spaceport Alliance (GSA), hosted the inaugural International Spaceport Meeting, held on the eve of the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2024 in Milan, Italy. The meeting brought together spaceport operators and regulatory officials from over 20 countries, marking a pivotal moment for the global spaceport industry.

In a deliberate effort to promote global collaboration, the FAA and GSA invited participants from over 20 countries. This exclusive gathering was instrumental in enabling dialogue in support of worldwide cooperation in space transportation.

The event gathered representatives from spaceports, space agencies, and regulatory authorities to address key topics shaping the future of spaceport development and commercial space transportation:

Economic Impact of Spaceports
Spaceport Regulations (current and future)
Spaceport Cooperation
Operations and Infrastructure
- National Spaceport Interagency Working Group update
- Critical Infrastructure
- Innovative Spaceport Uses
Reducing Duplication and Recognition
- Streamlining Licensing
- Bilateral Commercial Space Transportation Agreements
Airspace Integration

“Based on the success of this meeting, GSA plans to continue the conversation at the GSA Spaceport Summit. GSA will continue to lead the discussion.” said Dr. George Nield, GSA Chairman. During the meeting, Dr. Nield presented a New Vision for Spaceports, highlighting innovations and strategies to position spaceports as central technology hubs that support a broader economic ecosystem for space-related activities, both physically and virtually. His vision emphasized the importance of developing spaceports not only as launch facilities but as dynamic engines for local and global economic growth.

Dr. Nield’s presentation extended the focus on empowering and supporting spaceports through economic development and community engagement. “Building an Economic Powerhouse Around Your Spaceport” is the theme for the upcoming GSA Spaceport Summit, where discussions will center on innovative strategies to grow the spaceport ecosystem. Through events, webinars, legislative initiatives, and Advisory Groups, GSA remains dedicated to empowering spaceports and ensuring their pivotal role in the global space industry’s future.

GSA Member Initiatives Shine Bright

The GSA takes pride in the proactive efforts of its members, who are at the forefront of advancing the spaceport industry. GSA member Merrick & Company sponsored the luncheon offering a chance for participants to continue the discussion throughout the day.

Two GSA members, Space Centre Australia and the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority have been spearheading an initiative to foster greater international cooperation among spaceports. These efforts culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) immediately following the International Spaceport Meeting, with eight commercial spaceports from across five continents (all GSA members) agreeing to explore future collaboration.

MOU Signatories: A Global Commitment

The following GSA members were the inaugural signatories to the MOU:

Esrange Space Center, Swedish Space Corporation (Sweden)
Hokkaido Spaceport, SPACE COTAN Co., Ltd. (Japan)
Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority (USA)
Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska, Alaska Aerospace Corporation (USA)
SaxaVord Spaceport (Scotland, United Kingdom)
Space Centre Australia (Australia)
Stargate Peru S.A.C. (Peru)
Sutherland Spaceport, Orbital Express Launch Limited (Scotland, United Kingdom)

The MOU aims to strengthen global access to space, enhance affordability, and create opportunities for technological innovation through shared efforts. These discussions will contribute significantly to the growth and sustainability of the commercial space sector.

Looking Ahead

The International Spaceport Meeting underscored the importance of global dialogue in advancing the spaceport industry. With exciting initiatives underway and new partnerships being forged, GSA looks forward to continuing the conversation at the GSA Spaceport Summit and other GSA events, providing a strong forum for the expansion of international cooperation within the spaceport community.

Join us for the GSA Spaceport Summit on January 27 in Orlando, Florida. For more information and to register, please visit GlobalSpaceportAlliance.com.

ABOUT GLOBAL SPACEPORT ALLIANCE

Established in 2015, the Global Spaceport Alliance has become the largest network of spaceports in the world. Members include spaceport operators, suppliers, and government and academic entities involved in the commercial space sector. GSA offers members timely access to information, the ability to engage with key decision makers, and the opportunity to participate in working groups targeting specific areas of interest to the spaceport ecosystem.

Message from the Chairman

As I reflect on the tragic loss of life that took place as a result of the implosion of the submersible attempting to visit the wreckage of the Titanic, I see both similarities and differences between traveling to the bottom of the ocean and riding a rocket to the edge of space.

Similarities include:

· Both experiences take place in harsh and unforgiving environments

· Both experiences involve a significant level of risk

· Only a relatively small number of people have ever had either experience

· The cost to buy a ticket for either experience is rather high

Perhaps the most significant difference between the two excursions is that for submersibles, there is a comprehensive set of industry standards, and common practice is for vehicles to be certified or “classed” by marine organizations such as the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), DNV (Det Norske Veritas, a global accreditation organization based in Norway), or Lloyd’s Register. However, certification isn’t mandatory.

For commercial human spaceflight, we really don’t have an equivalent framework. Launches are conducted under an “informed consent regime,” where companies must thoroughly brief their customers on all of the anticipated risks, and then have them sign a document stating that they understand and accept those risks. Meanwhile, the FAA is currently under a moratorium, or “learning period,” that is scheduled to expire in October (unless extended by Congress), that prohibits issuing regulations that are intended to protect the safety of crew or spaceflight participants. There has been some initial work to develop voluntary industry consensus standards, such as the effort being led by ASTM, but most of the standards that have been published to date have to do with topics like terminology or propellant stowage rather than being focused on human spaceflight safety.

As a result, this may be an appropriate time for those of us in the aerospace community to ask ourselves whether we are fully prepared for what might happen after the next human spaceflight accident. We know that we will have spaceflight accidents in the future — just like we do for every mode of transportation, including cars, trains, planes, and boats. My fear is that after a high-profile human spaceflight accident, we may see a significant outcry from the public, the media, Congress, or the Administration, with people asking, “How could the government have allowed this to happen?” That would be followed by the FAA being directed to immediately put out regulations that would prevent such an occurrence from ever taking place again.

Unfortunately, my experience has been that Rushed Regulations are Bad Regulations. A much better approach would involve government, industry, and academia working together to come up with an updated Commercial Human Spaceflight Regulatory Framework, that would take advantage of what we have learned over the last 62 years of human spaceflight, and that would encourage the continuous improvement of human spaceflight safety, while still allowing advanced technologies, innovation, and new ways of doing business.

Such a framework may not even require the addition of any new regulations. It will be important to retain the existing “informed consent” regime, but the new framework could potentially include, by reference, a comprehensive set of FAA-approved, voluntary industry consensus standards. Companies could then either demonstrate their compliance with those standards, or provide the appropriate data and rationale showing how an alternative approach would have an equivalent level of safety.

I suspect that the reason the development of industry standards has taken so long is that under the moratorium, industry has no incentive to devote the necessary time and energy to the effort, or to assign their best people to work on it. Plus, they are too busy launching rockets! If the moratorium is allowed to expire, industry may decide that it would be better for the private sector to have a system with light-touch government oversight and common-sense industry standards, than one in which the government attempts to come up with prescriptive design requirements on its own. That could turn out to be just the incentive needed to enable commercial human spaceflight to thrive while continuously improving its safety.

All the Best!

Dr. George C. Nield

GSA Chairman

Global Spaceport Alliance and FAA Host Inaugural International Spaceport Meeting in Milan, Italy

Advancing Spaceport Innovation and Economic Growth Through Worldwide Collaboration

Exploration: Sea versus Space

Message from the Chairman

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