TOWARDS MULTI-DOMAIN TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

Commercial space transport operations are on the rise. As these operations increase, the demand for a unified system to curb the emerging operational challenges and highlight opportunities brought in by the integration of conventional Air Traffic Management (ATM) and Space Traffic Management (STM) is becoming essential. The need to consolidate these systems into a Multi-Domain Traffic Management (MDTM) structure will provide the flexibility required to implement viable and sustainable operational schemes for the air and space transport domains. Recent trends in sub-orbital flights and human-rated spacecraft operations have extended the usage of the airspace, which are not fully supported by the existing International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) regulations. The traffic data generated in this context must be managed within a unified framework which helps manage the traffic in both the air and space domains. The coexistence of manned and unmanned (remotely piloted/autonomous) vehicles requires a suitable traffic management system for a higher degree of automation. However, human understanding of the automated decision-making processes is vital to build trust, enhance teaming and support post-mission analysis. This paper proposes a novel methodology for MDTM with standardised operating procedures across air and space domains. The proposed MDTM is an integrated management solution suitable for multiple air and space transportation modes/systems and complex/diversified operational environments. The overall architecture incorporates the current ICAO and COPUOS regulatory framework guidelines and addresses the challenges of noncontrolled airspace above 20 km and below the Karman line (100 Km). Despite the challenges existing at the national and global level, an integrated air-and-space traffic management framework gives administrators the flexibility to manage traffic in a safe, efficient and sustainable manner, and to implement new policies and regulations/standards that accommodate both manufacturer and operator requirements.