Space traffic management: Implementations and implications

Space traffic management means that space is no longer an open frontier; it means the space-faring nations have decided that there is a reason to bring order to near-Earth space. There are several ways space traffic management might be implemented, and “bringing order” raises numerous questions. This paper discusses justifications and goals for establishing space traffic management, triggers which might move the concept forward, current plans for piloting aspects for space traffic management, and questions that must be answered. The paper argues that effective space traffic management will become a reality when one of two things happens: a collision involving a major space asset, or interest by commercial satellite operators in such a service to protect their assets from collision. The paper includes a discussion of the likelihood of collision and how cost-effectiveness might be interpreted.