FAA activates powerful new system to track spacecraft in near-real time
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has activated a powerful new system that’ll enable it to track rocket launches in near-real-time, as well as spacecraft when they reenter Earth’s airspace on their way to the ground. The new program is intended to increase the safety of the US’s National Airspace System, according to the agency, joining the FAA’s existing air traffic management efforts.
The new capability is called the Space Data Integrator (SDI), which is a prototype now in operation intended to receive data about rocket launches and spacecraft reentry. The data includes important details like the rocket or spacecraft’s altitude and position that are used to track a launch’s actual trajectory in addition to its planned trajectory.
Not so friendly skies: Summer air travel is off to a bumpy start hotair.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from hotair.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
- April 5, 2021, 10:32 AM
NBAA has reinforced its leadership team with the addition of industry veteran Andrew Broom as senior v-p of strategy, marketing, and innovation, and the promotions of long-time employees Jo Damato and Doug Carr to senior v-p roles. The appointment of Broom follows the announced planned departure of Mike Nichols, who is senior v-p of strategy and innovation but is retiring from the association at the end of April following a nearly 20-year career there.
Broom brings a background of business aviation association experience including with the General Aviation Manufacturers Association and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and, most recently, as CEO of the Citation Jet Pilots Association (CJP). During his tenure with CJP, the association’s membership doubled and industry partnership, member benefits, and advocacy initiatives were expanded. Also under Broom’s leadership, CJP formed a safety committee and launched the CJP Safety and Education Fo