COMSTAC 1-Apr-2015 meeting webcast

[joek]

COMSTAC April 1 meeting webcast archive; other info here (pdf of agenda attached).  This does not include the entire meeting, just the later sessions.  Unfortunately does not include some earlier working group discussions related to the OFR's (observations, findings, recommendations) in these sessions.

There a links in the webcast so you can skip directly to a session.  You can also download the close caption contents, but it is painful to read and nearly impossible to make sense of unless you listen to the audio.

Standards Working Group (4:04)
Provides a good view of the state of standards and "consensus standards" (or lack thereof).
~38:00 -- Most interesting discussion starts here; Jeff Greason as always has good points. 

Congressional Perspectives on Commercial Space Launch Act Updates (61:05)
First part is laundry list of activities.  Of relevance as as the moratorium on FAA regulation ends 1-Oct-2015 (this year) as what happens at that point is a question.
~67:00 -- Some insight into different Congressional perspectives (e.g., transportation vs. R&D/adventure).
~72:00 -- Q&A around regulation; interesting comments from Mike Griffin and Jeff Greason.

Operations Working Group (93.29)
USAF range updates--looks like they're dusting off some assets, including Ascension Island.  Work on a spaceport directory (hey, FAA publishes an airport directory!).

Business / Legal Working Group Report (112.08)
Discussion centers around CSLA and future regulatory aspects and concerns (some covered in SWG above).
~118:00 -- Discussion of recommendations for proceeding with limited regulation.  There is a long boring and painful word-smithing debate (you can almost hear Greason' teeth grinding).

International Space Policy Working Group Report (137.39)
Most of time spent on ITAR and that the DOD's concern is that some of the systems could provide ASAT capability.  Long debate about procedural issues and word-smithing, but some good discussion.
~163:00 -- Discussion of in-space non-interference and Outer Space Treaty.  Interesting mention (but no discussion) of concern with OST Article VI "continuing supervision" clause.
~167.00 -- Some discussion of objections to IAASS Space Safety Standards (most information of substance on this can be found in previous COMSTAC meeting minutes and presentation).

New Business / Next Steps (172.16)