Christian Zur, Scott Kordella on Safe Coexistence of Space Launch Sector, Aviation Industry

Christian Zur of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Scott Kordella of Mitre wrote in an opinion piece published Tuesday on Federal Times that the U.S. needs to have a “single operational picture” to facilitate timely and accurate monitoring of aircraft and space systems and enable the space launch sector to safely coexist with the aviation industry.

“Fortunately, new approaches for information sharing and technology integration are emerging to include management of airspace with dynamic separation for diverse air and space missions, enhanced situational awareness for all operators at all altitudes of flight, flexible regulations that encourage innovation, and improved planning and coordination as new spaceport sites come online,” Zur and Kordella wrote.

They cited the need for a regulatory environment that seeks to achieve efficient operation of aircraft and space vehicles with specific attention to the traveling public and ensure “safety at the increasing scales of users.”

“But that future begins with finding a balanced way to manage the critical needs of the aviation community alongside commercial space launch operators,” they added.

Kordella is director of space systems at Mitre, while Zur is executive director of the procurement and space industry council at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.