FACA

Note: An Annual Comprehensive Review, as required by §7 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, is conducted each year on committee data entered for the previous fiscal year (referred to as the reporting year). The data for the reporting year is not considered verified until this review is complete and the data is moved to history for an agency/department. See the Data From Previous Years section at the bottom of this page for the committee’s historical, verified data.

Details on agency responses to committee recommendations can be found under the Performance Measures section for each committee in the fields “Agency Feedback” and “Agency Feedback Comment.”

DOT - 682 - Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee - Agency Authority

GENERAL INFORMATION

Committee Name	Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee	Agency Name	Department of Transportation
Fiscal Year	2022	Committee Number	682
Original Establishment Date	2/22/1984	Committee Status	Chartered
Actual Termination Date		Committee URL	https://www.faa.gov/space/additional_informatio...
New Committee This FY	No	Presidential Appointments*	No
Terminated This FY	No	Max Number of Members*	approx. 28
Current Charter Date	6/25/2021	Designated Fed Officer Position Title*	DFO
Date Of Renewal Charter	6/25/2023	Designated Federal Officer Prefix	Mr.
Projected Termination Date		Designated Federal Officer First Name*	James
Exempt From Renewal*	No	Designated Federal Officer Middle Name
Specific Termination Authority		Designated Federal Officer Last Name*	Hatt
Establishment Authority*	Agency Authority	Designated Federal Officer Suffix
Specific Establishment Authority*	agency decision memorandum	Designated Federal Officer Phone*	(202) 267-4156
Effective Date Of Authority*	2/24/1984	Designated Federal Officer Fax*
Exempt From EO 13875 Discretionary Cmte	Not Applicable	Designated Federal Officer Email*	james.a.hatt@faa.gov
Committee Type*	Continuing
Presidential*	No
Committee Function*	Scientific Technical Program Advisory Board

RECOMMENDATION/JUSTIFICATIONS

Agency Recommendation*	Continue
Legislation to Terminate Required	Not Applicable
Legislation Status	Not Applicable
How does cmte accomplish its purpose?*	COMSTAC makes recommendations to DOT and the FAA Administrator regarding proposed federal policy, business and economic issues and other specific concerns affecting the U.S. commercial space transportation industry.
How is membership balanced?*	The committee members represent a wide range of industry viewpoints. Members include representatives from commercial space launch service providers (companies that conduct FAA-licensed launches); commercial spaceport operators (companies/organizations that manage and operate non-Federal launch sites); space launch vehicle and satellite manufacturers; launch insurers; and satellite users; and lawyers, investors, and economists working on commercial space issues. Membership also includes a special government employee expert from academia (i.e., space studies). Members have a range of space policy expertise and volunteer/are associated with a number of space advocacy organizations. To ensure that the recommendations of the committee have taken into account the needs of diverse groups served by the FAA, membership includes, to the extent practicable, individuals and/or organizations representing minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.
How frequent & relevant are cmte mtgs?*	The committee typically holds an in-person, public meeting twice per year. Since COVID19 shutdowns began in March 2020, the meetings have been "virtual" using an online webinar service. In FY22, the November meeting was virtual and the May meeting was a hybrid virtual/face-to-face event. On occasion, special meetings are held. In March 2022, for example, Air Traffic Organization hosted a COMSTAC orientation meeting at the Air Traffic Control System Command Center on ATO procedures to ensure aviation safety during launches/re-entries and also explained how the Space Data Integrator functions. Working groups meet as needed, usually via teleconference, to work on reports and recommendations back to the full committee. Maintenance of the committee is a vital component to the success of the U.S. commercial space transportation industry. Committee recommendations and input also represent important assistance to the FAA in carrying out the Administration's national space policy.
Why advice can't be obtained elsewhere?*	Members constitute the primary source of information and industry expertise because the members are the key decision makers, launch technology experts, and users of space launch technology throughout the US and the world. The committee is the most appropriate, efficient, and cost-effective way for FAA to obtain information and effective advice in such a dynamic business and policy environment.
Why close or partially close meetings?	N/A
Recommendation Remarks	COMSTAC has provided information, advice, and recommendations to the Department of Transportation and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration on U. S. commercial space transportation industry issues since 1984. The economic, technical, and institutional expertise provided by COMSTAC members has been invaluable to our work in developing effective regulations that ensure safety during commercial launch operations and policies that support international competitiveness for the industry. The Committee utilizes working groups, which provide information, reports, and recommendations to the full Committee for adoption. The Committee may also establish ad hoc working groups or special task groups to address specific short-term issues and/or current issues.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Outcome Improvement To Health Or Safety*	Yes	Action Reorganize Priorities*	Yes
Outcome Trust In Government	Yes	Action Reallocate Resources	Yes
Outcome Major Policy Changes	Yes	Action Issued New Regulations	No
Outcome Advance In Scientific Research	Yes	Action Proposed Legislation	No
Outcome Effective Grant Making	No	Action Approved Grants Or Other Payments	No
Outcome Improved Service Delivery	Yes	Action Other	No
Outcome Increased Customer Satisfaction	Yes	Action Comment	NA
Outcome Implement Laws/Reg Requirements	No	Grants Review*	No
Outcome Other	No	Number Of Grants Reviewed	0
Outcome Comment	NA	Number Of Grants Recommended	0
Cost Savings*	Unable to Determine	Dollar Value Of Grants Recommended	$0.00
Cost Savings Comment	NA	Grants Review Comment	NA
Number Of Recommendations*	466	Access Contact Designated Fed. Officer*	Yes
Number Of Recommendations Comment	Since 1984, COMSTAC has typically made 12 recommendations per year to the FAA. In FY21, however, COMSTAC made 21 recommendations and in FY22 COMSTAC provided 30 recommendations.	Access Agency Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented*	27.00%	Access Committee Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented Comment	Exact implementation records going back to 1984 are not available. However, in 2021, FAA implemented 12 recommendations, 5 recommendations are in process, 2 recommendations are not applicable, and 2 were rejected. COMSTAC issued 21 recommendations. In FY22 COMSTAC promulgated 30 recommendations. 8 recommendations are fully implemented, 20 are partially implemented, 1 was not applicable, and 1 was rejected.	Access GSA FACA Website	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented*	67.00%	Access Publications	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented Comment	In FY 2022 FAA is in the process of implementing 20 additional recommendations.	Access Other	No
Agency Feedback*	Yes	Access Comment	N/A
Agency Feedback Comment*	Feedback is provided primarily through observations, findings and recommendations from the Committee to FAA. FAA then responds to the Committee on how it will implement the recommendations of the Committee.	Narrative Description*	The committee has consistently supported the mission of the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration in maximizing safety during commercial launch and reentry operations as well as operations of commercial (i.e. non-Federal) launch sites. The Committee made 30 recommendations for this year

COSTS

Payments to Non-Federal Members*		Est Payments to Non-Fed Members Next FY*
Payments to Federal Members*		Est. Payments to Fed Members Next FY*
Payments to Federal Staff*	$60,000.00	Estimated Payments to Federal Staff*	$60,000.00
Payments to Consultants*		Est. Payments to Consultants Next FY*
Travel Reimb. For Non-Federal Members*	$50,000.00	Est Travel Reimb Non-Fed Members nextFY*	$50,000.00
Travel Reimb. For Federal Members*		Est Travel Reimb For Fed Members*
Travel Reimb. For Federal Staff*		Est. Travel Reimb to Fed Staff Next FY*
Travel Reimb. For Consultants*		Est Travel Reimb to Consultants Next FY*
Other Costs	$15,000.00	Est. Other Costs Next FY*	$15,000.00
Total Costs	$125,000.00	Est. Total Next FY*	$125,000.00
Date Cost Last Modified	6/9/2022 2:15 PM	Est. Fed Staff Support Next FY*	5.00
Federal Staff Support (FTE)*		Est Cost Remarks	Despite the resumption of in-person meetings and increase in membership, the cost is unlikely to increase. Most members live in the DC area and travel is not required.
Cost Remarks	COMSTAC resumed face-to-face meetings in FY22. This will not result in higher costs than previous virtual only COMSTAC FYs since many members live in the DC area.

Interest Areas

Category Area Applied Science Engineering Mathematics Aviation Air Traffic Basic Science Materials Research Business Industry Computer Technology Technology Environment Environmental Issues Oceans and Atmospheric Sciences Finance Finance International International Law International Organizations Legislation Regulations Rulemaking National Defense National Security and Defense Research Research and Development Science and Technology Innovation Science and Technology Space Space and Aeronautics

Custom Links

Committee Level Reports