What We Do

ATO Space and Advanced Air Integration safely, efficiently, and seamlessly integrates space operations and new entrants into the National Airspace System by continuously evolving procedures and best practices to support emerging operations while balancing NAS efficiency.

As the ATO’s office of primary responsibility for managing space transport operations and advanced air integration, this directorate keeps the flying public safe while optimizing the nation’s increasingly complex airspace for all stakeholders.

Comprised of three groups, the directorate uses the following tools to support its objectives:

• Space Data Integrator (SDI): Tracks a vehicle's live speed and position so the FAA can safely reopen airspace quickly after a space vehicle clears a hazard area.
• Space Operations Portal (SpORT): A planning tool used to coordinate and document space flights with key stakeholders, including commercial operators, the U.S. Space Force, international partners, and aviation.

Operate

This group manages the real-time integration of space transport operations and new entrants. It supports United States peace and war plan objectives and other special airspace activities from an operational scope. It is responsible for activation and deactivation of hazard area airspace and for coordinating, planning, and approving special user requirements under the Altitude Reservation (ALTRV) concept.

Integrate

This group provides the technical expertise to effectively develop current and future policy, procedures, and technologies to support the seamless integration of evolving space transport operations and advanced air operations into the NAS.

Innovate

As innovative air transport capabilities develop, this group will serve as the primary liaison among the FAA, United States Space Force (USSF), Department of War (DOW), and private sector, always looking years ahead, gathering and synthesizing information, to determine how new entrants will be safely and seamlessly integrated into the NAS.