Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC)
Established in 1984, COMSTAC provides information, advice, and recommendations to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) within the Department of Transportation (DOT) on matters relating to the U.S. commercial space transportation industry.
COMSTAC addresses industry issues through its working groups, which provide information, reports and recommendations to the full Committee for adoption. If a report or recommendation is adopted by the full Committee, it is then submitted to the FAA Administrator as an official industry recommendation. COMSTAC currently has four working groups: Technology and Innovation, Launch Operations and Support, Risk Management, and Reusable Launch Vehicle. Ad hoc working groups or special task groups are also established to address specific short-term issues and / or current critical issues. Working groups meet as needed.
The primary goals of COMSTAC are to:
- Evaluate economic, technological and institutional developments relating to the U.S. commercial space transportation industry.
- Provide a forum for the discussion of problems involving the relationship between industry activities and government requirements.
- Make recommendations to the Administrator on issues and approaches for Federal policies and programs regarding the industry.
COMSTAC membership is made up of senior executives from the commercial space transportation industry; representatives from the satellite industry, both manufacturers and users; state and local government officials; representatives from firms providing insurance, financial investment and legal services for commercial space activities; and representatives from space advocacy organizations and industry associations.
- COMSTAC Charter U.S. DOT/FAA Order 1110.124F (PDF)
- Membership
- COMSTAC Working Groups
- Technology and Innovation
- Launch Operations and Support
- Risk Management
- Reusable Launch Vehicle Development
- COMSTAC Working Group Bulletin Board
- COMSTAC Meeting Information
