Importance Score: 75 / 100 🔴
Space Traffic Coordination System TraCSS Advances Towards Full Operational Capability
COLORADO SPRINGS – The Commerce Department’s initiative for space traffic coordination, known as the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS), has progressed into its next developmental phase. Full operational service is anticipated to commence in early 2025, promising enhanced space situational awareness for satellite operators and improved collision avoidance capabilities in orbit.
TraCSS Upgrades and Enhanced Capabilities
During a presentation at the 40th Space Symposium on April 8, Janice Starzyk, the acting director of the Office of Space Commerce, disclosed that TraCSS had been updated to “program increment” version 1.1 in March. This significant upgrade brings notable enhancements to the system’s functionality.
- Improved Position Accuracy: Version 1.1 enables satellite owners and operators to upload ephemerides, which are precise data sets detailing the positions of their satellites. This feature significantly enhances the accuracy of positional information within TraCSS.
- On-Demand Conjunction Screening: Upon uploading satellite ephemerides, operators can now utilize TraCSS for immediate, on-demand screening. This process detects potential conjunctions, or close approaches, with other objects in space, generating conjunction data messages (CDMs) to alert operators to potential risks.
- Increased Catalog Update Frequency: The TraCSS catalog of space objects is now updated six times daily, improving responsiveness to the dynamic space environment. While not precisely every four hours due to some manual processes, this is a notable improvement compared to the Defense Department’s Space-Track.org, which updates four times a day.
Beta Testing and System Expansion
Ongoing upgrades to TraCSS are currently undergoing beta testing with an initial group of nine operators, collectively responsible for approximately 1,000 satellites. Starzyk indicated that an additional beta user will be incorporated this year, which will significantly expand the system’s capacity tenfold. While the specific identity of this user was not disclosed, SpaceX, with its extensive Starlink constellation exceeding 7,000 satellites, is the only operator managing such a large fleet.
Presentation Layer Development Resumes
A crucial aspect of TraCSS development is the “presentation layer,” or user-facing website, TraCSS.gov. The Office of Space Commerce awarded a contract to Slingshot Aerospace for its development in November. However, progress was temporarily halted due to a protest filed by Kayhan Space with the Government Accountability Office (GAO). With the GAO rejecting the protest on March 26, work has resumed.
Website Beta Testing and Operational Timeline
“We’re back up and running” with the website development, stated Starzyk. The current schedule anticipates the TraCSS.gov website being ready for beta testing in August, with testing continuing through the end of the year. This revised schedule is slightly later than previous estimates, which aimed for full operational status by the end of 2024. Challenges such as the GAO protest and temporary personnel changes have contributed to the adjusted timeline.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
Path to Full Operational Status in 2025
“By January 2025, TraCSS.gov will be fully operational,” Starzyk affirmed. At that point, the system will be open to all interested users, providing comprehensive collision avoidance services, CDMs, and all necessary data to facilitate safe and responsible space operations. The deployment of TraCSS represents a significant step forward for enhancing space safety and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the space environment through improved space traffic management.