Space capacity management and its interaction with space traffic management

The management of the finite capacity of near-Earth orbital space requires both scientific and technical as well as policy and regulatory approaches to deal with all the aspects of the issue. In this chapter these various aspects have been analysed. This paper summarises the activities carried out within the working group on Space capacity management mandated by the International Astronautical Federation Space Traffic Management Technical Committee. First, a scientific and technical understanding of what is meant by this limited capacity, how to quantify it, and how to measure its use is discussed. Several metrics are discussed to highlight the importance of a concerted framework for the definition, computation, monitoring, and allocation of the space environment capacity. Then need for a transparent methodology and a mechanism to ensure the review and approval of the proposed capacity is discussed. The policy and regulatory aspects of space capacity management, under the existing international legal framework for space activities, are also covered. The paper gives recommendations to reach a shared understanding on how space environment capacity should be uniquely defined as a first step towards the management of this capacity and to reach an international consensus about the metrics that should be used.