Creating a Space Traffic Management System and Potential Geopolitical Opportunities

ABSTRACT When U.S. Space Policy Directive-3 (SPD-3) was released in June 2018, the Trump Administration was addressing a major issue facing the space community, space traffic management (STM). Since its release, there has been limited progress on creating a civil STM system mostly due to U.S. congressional disagreement on department or administration placement. However, after two years the Department of Commerce (DOC) was eventually granted authority and funding to lead U.S. civil STM efforts. Once DOC assumes STM operations from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), it offers the United States an opportunity to lead as a space power and gain an advantage in the multipolar strategic space competition. This article begins with a brief history of DOD’s role in space situational awareness, STM, and the culmination point that made DOD want to rid itself of STM responsibilities. The article then discusses two major studies that explored establishing a civil STM agency while identifying issues that the agency would face once created. The article provides an overview of SPD-3 and examines and addresses its objectives. Finally, the article concludes with opportunities a U.S. led STM system can bring in terms of cooperation and the effects it will have on the overall multipolar strategic space competition.