The US National Space Traffic Management Policy highlights how critical access to space is for the nation and the necessity to preserve it through STM. As space becomes increasingly congested and contested, the policy highlights the need for a modernized STM framework to ensure the safety, stability, and sustainability of space operations. The US recognize that without effective traffic management, the growing number of satellites and debris could threaten both current and future space activities.

Prerequisites:

• Institutional & political interest and support for utilising STM technologies and applications for services 

• Understand national 

policies and identify national policies that utilise STM technologies and applications

• Identify and build relationships with relevant ministries, local companies, and other stakeholders to gather comprehensive data on existing STM technologies and applications usage in the nation

• Inter-ministerial working group

• Partner support as needed

Cost:

• Ballpark: USD 10k–20k

• Includes: literature review, stakeholder consultations, expert advisory, report drafting and validation

Note: A complete study would range from USD 50k-250k and include multiple activities such as determining the relevance of the domain, identification of existing data sources, developing use cases, and a capability maturity assessment) 

Timeframe:

• Overall: 6–12 mo

• Phase: scoping (1–2 mo), consultation (2–4 mo), drafting (2–4 mo), validation (1–2 mo)

Pros:

• Consistency - Ensures policy consistency and facilitates government support.

• Resource Efficiency - Allows for efficient resource utilisation, maximizing the impact of investments.

Considerations:

• Articulation - May require collaboration with a variety of stakeholders, including government agencies, industry leaders, and academic institutions.