Space Data Integrator: FAA's Innovative Platform for Launch and Reentry Operations

In response to the predicted increase in frequency and complexity of commercial launch and reentry operations, the FAA must continue its effort to develop integrated capabilities to meet the Administration’s objectives and realize the anticipated operational benefits of the integration of these operations into the National Airspace System (NAS). The Space Data Integrator (SDI) platform is such a capability that automates the FAA’s currently manual, time-consuming and resource-intensive procedures to support commercial launch and reentry operations. The objectives of the SDI are to allow for extending the operations’ planning to include filing a flight plan, to provide situational awareness to the Joint Space Operations Group (JSpOG) at the FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) on the launch and reentry vehicle position and mission parameters during the full operations, and to support the detection and response to abnormal events. The SDI is the result of a non-traditional approach for FAA that is flexible, with high-implementation readiness, directly tailored to the end-user needs, and both low-cost/low impact on existing NAS automation systems. The SDI can be used as a shadow system while continuing to mature, a training tool for the JSpOG personnel, and a familiarization tool for commercial space vehicle operators, spaceport representatives and air traffic control personnel.