FAA Reauthorization Bill Addresses Reentering Space Junk
Buried deep in the nearly 800 page FAA reauthorization bill is a section directing the agency to keep track of space debris, and develop ways to mitigate potential conflicts with aircraft as debris reenters Earth's atmosphere.
The bill crafted by the House Transportation Committee calls for the FAA to establish a program to track objects that are potential sources of covered airborne debris, and establish a database containing data and information on such objects. Further, the agency is directed to:
Utilize existing tools and methods, including communication with the owners or operators of such objects, if applicable, to determine on an ongoing basis the likelihood and the circumstances, including the time and location, under which such objects may reenter the Earth’s atmosphere in a controlled or uncontrolled manner
Assess the potential of a reentry of each such object to create covered airborne debris and the risk such debris may pose to aircraft or individuals and property on the ground
Establish a system, in consultation with the Chief Operating Officer for the air traffic control system that would identify airspace for possible control or restrictions when risks are present
Those controls or restrictions would be put in place even when there is the possibility of such debris that could potentially impact an aircraft in flight. The aircraft would be notified of the risk and re-routed if deemed necessary.
FAA Reauthorization Bill Allocates $60 Million to the Program
The FAA Reauthorization Bill also calls for the acquisition or establishment of methods to directly track potentially hazardous space debris, and make agreements to use data on such objects from other Federal agencies or private companies.
The bill gives the FAA the authority to make other uses of the data it collects for this purpose, and directs the agency to make "a basic level of data, information and services" available at no charge.
The FAA Reauthorization Bill allocates $15 million in each of the fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to be "expended" by the Secretary of Transportation to implement the program. The Section begins on page 600 of the 773 page bill.
(Source: House Transportation Committee. Images from file)