Australian Airline Pilots’ Association warns of risk to aviation safety amid expansion of space industry

PILOTS are worried about getting shot out of the sky as plans to use planes as rocket launchers and an expansion of the space industry go ahead.

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PILOTS are worried about getting shot out of the sky as plans to use planes as rocket launchers and an expansion of the space industry go ahead.

The space industry — which is dominated by South Australian players — is excited at the prospect of using aeroplanes to launch rockets to carry satellites into orbit.

It is a far cheaper and more efficient way of launching rockets.

But the Australian Airline Pilots’ Association warns of risk to aviation safety because of rockets going up but also debris coming down through commercial aircraft space.

They say changes are going ahead without proper consultation with their sector.

A Senate Committee is investigating the impacts of the new Space Activities Amendment (Launches and Returns) Bill.

NASA's Super Guppy aircraft, carrying crew compartment for the Space Shuttle Trainer above Seattle in 2012. The Australian Airline Pilots’ Association warns of risk to aviation safety because of rockets going up but also debris coming down through commercial aircraft routes.

The Bill comes as Australia has finally opened its own space agency, which will help the booming space industry.

Central to the industry in SA is the ability to launch small satellites into near earth orbit.

The Advertiser has previously reported that at least one company is considering setting up a rocket launch site to sent nanosatellites into orbit.

At the same time, advanced technology means that putting a rocket launcher on an aeroplane could be a more effective option.

Other companies are canvassing rocket launchers on the high seas.

The likely outcome is far more rockets being launched in Australian airspace.

NASA image of space shuttle Endeavour on a modified Boeing 747 carrier aircraft flying over Los Angeles in 2012. It’s a far cheaper and more efficient way of launching space vehicles.

The Bill that will open space up more has not properly canvassed how that will interact with commercial airspace, AusALPA says.

AusALPA said the changes would lead to “objects traversing airspace which could have air traffic in it or planned to be in it at any particular time”.

The Association says there’s an issue with the difference between aviation and space agencies that could exacerbate safety issues.

“From an aviation safety perspective, AusALPA considers the Bill to inadequately address the issues of space objects, with essentially no collision avoidance capability transiting Australian-administered airspace,” they write.

At the heart of their concerns is how all rocket launches will intersect with aviation airspace and the lack of consultation with their pilots.

The University of Adelaide welcomed the new laws and says the changes will further promote the space industry.

Originally published as Australian Airline Pilots’ Association warns of risk to aviation safety amid expansion of space industry