Peraton’s Dean Bellamy: Congress Should Address Space Traffic Management

Dean Bellamy, senior director of space strategies and development at Peraton, told Politico in an interview published Friday he believes Congress needs to initiate action to better manage space traffic as more companies launch satellites into orbit.

“I actually believe Congress has to take action,” Bellamy said. “It will add clarity and help prevent the risk of miscalculation and the risk of a debris incident.”

He mentioned Vice President Mike Pence’s new space strategy, which he said should establish norms of behavior to improve the sustainability and safety of space operations.

Bellamy said he believes the executive branch should address space domain awareness, space traffic management and space environmental management while Congress should address space traffic management first.

He also cited a contract with U.S. Africa Command for satellite communications capabilities and Peraton’s acquisition of software firm Solers.