Res Communis

International Space Transport Association Trade Organization Launched

PRESS Release
Date Released: Friday, September 17, 2010
Source: International Space Transport AssociationToday at the international conference ‘The regulation of suborbital flights in the European context’ – with members of EU, NASA and ESA present – trade organization ISTA has been launched. One of the main goals of the International Space Transport Association is to facilitate the development of new regulations for the commercial space industry, which will help establish a more precise responsibility and liability structure, in line with UN resolution 2222-XXI Art VI*. “Commercial space has an annual global turnover of 120 billion euro and is one of the fastest growing markets. This makes a global trade organization necessary”, says Ronald Heister, director general of ISTA. “Space enables enormous possibilities to improve life on earth. An industry that explores these new frontiers needs regulation alongside stimulation. ISTA will help influence and advise governments and safety organizations in the drafting of new space legislation.”

Ronald Heister (The Netherlands) and Sergio Figueira (Portugal), upon the initiative of the latter, created ISTA “Many people look at commercial space as a toy for the elite rich. This is exactly how we looked at air traffic one hundred years ago. Nowadays, we buy low fare tickets and the airline industry is a part of many people’s lives. With a current annual turnover of a global 120 billion Euros [according to TNO**] the development of commercial space will go quicker than the way commercial airlines did in the past decennia.” Commercial space development will also help the sustainability of life on Earth. ISTA will focus on safety, environment, legislation and education around space to grow the space industry in a responsible way. “Think for instance about energy production, long term solutions in health care, and the further growth of products and services around the space industry in general, in which ISTA would like to play an active role in.”

According to Heister “ISTA has also been created to inspire and inform the public about commercial space. General knowledge, education, training, promotion and communication on and about the commercial space industry are vital elements of the public duties of ISTA. In addition, the general public often doesn’t know what’s available to them, because governmental bodies are often focused on their national programs, whereas the commercial industry has so much more to offer.” The worldwide development of space ports, space lines, space agents, space hotels and space stations require the need for an independent, international association which can bring all stakeholders together. It is ISTA’s objective to maximize sustainable growth of the space travel industry and its spinoff markets and to raise awareness amongst existing and new commercial space consumers and the general public to support and promote the industry.

The air traffic industry has two renowned international trade organizations with IATA (International Air Transport Association) and IAPA (International Airline Passengers Association), who have helped to create global regulation within the industry. “It was also in Holland that last century, IATA`s predecessor was created”, explains Heister. “It is a small country that achieves great accomplishments! With ISTA we’d like to accomplish similar activities for space. The industry gives us enormous opportunities to facilitate even more economical growth in size and value. For stakeholders, working together is vital and essential, certainly for an industry which has been dominated by the public sector.”

International Space Transport Association (ISTA) is located in The Hague. Before its official launch today, businesses and organizations from countries like Canada, United States of America, Japan, Russia, India, Mexico, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Sweden, Spain, Portugal , Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Australia, Brazil and Hong Kong have joined ISTA as members or strategic partners.

Hosted Payloads: Implications for U.S. Space Policy and Programs

Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010 – 8:15 – 10:30 a.m.

Reserve Officers Association, One Constitution Ave., NE,
Fourth Floor – Washington, D.C. 20002

Reservations required – Refreshments provided

On Thursday, September 23, the George C. Marshall Institute will convene a workshop to consider how the concept of “hosted payloads” can contribute to U.S. national security, civil, and commercial space missions.

The notion of encouraging government payloads to fly aboard commercial satellites, in place of building a government-only platform, has gained support as the demand for space-based information has increased, along with the costs of supplying that demand.

Placing national security and intelligence payloads aboard commercial satellites raises unique issues. Concerns security and reliability are among the issues generally cited when discussing the expanded use of hosted payloads. Perhaps just as significant are questions about how these capabilities will be integrated with existing systems and how they will be procured.

Convened under the auspices of the Institute’s Space Studies Program, this workshop will consider these and related questions. The forum will feature presentations from:

Joseph Rouge, Director, National Security Space Office, U.S. Department of Defense
Josh Hartman, Principal, Center for Strategic Space Studies (CS3)
Tim Deaver, Vice President, Hosted Payloads-Development, SES World Skies, US Government Solutions
The Institute thanks the Reserve Officers Association’s Strategic Defense Education program for their assistance in hosting this event.

Arianespace and the European Space Agency signed yesterday in Paris the production contract for the first operational Vega launch.

At the same time, Arianespace and Vega prime contractor ELV signed the VERTA framework contract, covering the five Vega launchers to be delivered after the qualification flight.

The framework contract provides for ELV to deliver five Vega launchers to Arianespace. Vega is a small launch vehicle with three solid-propulsion stages, and a fourth stage with a reignitable liquid rocket engine…more