Federal Aviation

Administration

NAS Integration of 

Transiting and 

Higher Airspace 

Operations (NITRO) 

Informational 

Briefing 

Presented to: REDAC 

By: Guillermo Sotelo, AJV-S11 

Date: 03/17/2021 
 

 

 

 

 

High Altitude Long Endurance

Future of the National Airspace is Changing 

Increasing diverse users and vehicles operations, with varying demand, and rapid pace 

of innovation and technology changes 

Federal Aviation 

Administration 

2 

Slow Uncontrolled Climb 

Rapid Vertical Ascent 

Ballistic 

Descent 

Supersonic & Hypersonic Speed 

Rapid Vertical 

Descent 

Integrating with Traditional NAS 

Operations 

Airborne Space Launch 

High Altitude Long Endurance 

Limited Maneuverability 

Oceanic Operations 
NAS Current Improvements resulting from 

previous Research and Analysis 

Executing improvements now while simultaneously building 

for the future 

Time Based Launch Letters of Space Data 

Procedures Agreement Integrator 

(TBLP) Minimum Viable 

Product 

(LOAs) 

(SDI MVP) 

Dynamic Launch/ Hotline 

Re-Entry Windows 

(DLRW) 

Federal Aviation 

Administration 

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Strategy for the Integration of Upper E and Space L/R 

Operations 

The NITRO initiative defines the ATO strategy by: 

Identifying and prioritizing operational service gaps and needs 

Forecasting the timeline to adapt to future demands 

Ensuring successful operational transition and integration 

Federal Aviation 

Administration 

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ATO Operational Focus Areas 

Focus Area Separation Demand ATO Thrust 

Space Launch/Reentry 

(L/R) Operations 

Segregated Increasing • Identify regulatory needs 

airspace from demand • Airspace access (e.g., 

legacy operations spaceport siting criteria, 

international considerations) 

• Operational coordination, 

automation enhancements to 

improve efficiency 

• Maintain flexibility & safety 

Integrated / Emerging • Policy and procedures Vertical Transiting Segregated demand research to support safe and 

Operations to and From airspace with other increased access 

Upper E legacy operations 

Upper E Operations 

Integrated / Emerging • Establishing safety 

Segregated demand requirements 

airspace with other • Solidify the concept of 

Upper E operations operations with stakeholders 

• International coordination, 

identifying policy and 

procedures solutions 

Federal Aviation 

Administration 

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Goal: Foster growth and expansion of Space L/R 

operations with safety and efficiency for all NAS users 

Objective Outcomes Initiatives/Completion 0-3-year 5-year 7-year 

Ensure safety via 

improved situational 

awareness of L/R 

nominal and off-nominal 

operations 

Expedited sharing and 

response to Space 

L/R nominal and offnominal operations 

Expedited Air Traffic 

Management response to 

separate aircraft from 

hazardous airspace 

More decision support 

capabilities for resolution 

of conflicts in off-nominal 

events 

• Hotline (0-3) 

• SDI Phase 1 (0-3)* 

• NSIC (5)* / NSIC-E (7) 

• Hazard Area Needs Analysis (HANA) (5)* 

• Establish telemetry guidelines 

Establish a 

Collaboration Forum 

with L/R operators, 

ANSP, and flight 

operators, and identify 

data sharing initiatives 

Existing mechanisms and 

processes such as LOAs 

and MOUs provide 

foundation for data 

sharing 

Standard and repeatable 

data sharing procedures 

are tailored to 

operation/operator 

A mature information 

infrastructure (e.g., SWIM, 

EIM platform) meets 

evolving data exchange 

needs 

• DLRW (0-3)* 

• NOTAM improvement (0-3) 

• PERTI Planning (0-3) 

• NOD (0-3) 

• Information Portal 

• Collaboration forum* 

• Common Weather Picture 

Develop and implement 

procedures and 

separation methods to 

safely tailor to vehicle / 

operation 

Modified procedures take 

advantage of existing 

capabilities to manage 

segregated airspace 

Procedures and 

capabilities allow for more 

dynamic airspace use 

Procedures and 

capabilities allow for 

vehicle - airspace 

separation; and Vehicle -

Vehicle (when possible) 

• TBLP/DLRW (0-3)* 

• Safety/risk (0-3) 

• Captive-carry rules 

• Airspace protections (corridors, adaptive volumes) -

some research areas 

• Support AST and ARP spaceport planning 

Establish data 

requirements to make 

data-driven decisions 

that optimize support of 

NAS and user 

objectives 

Traffic management 

decisions based on 

metrics using existing data 

collection and analysis 

Community-based 

operational performance 

and optimization metrics 

involve stakeholders in 

decision-making 

Robust data and 

processes routinely 

measure operational 

performance 

• NEAP (0-3)* 

• PERTI Planning (0-3) 

• Post analysis tools 

• Baseline data 

• Metrics development 

Green indicates active initiatives and completion timeframe 

Federal Aviation 

Administration 

* = ARC Recommendation 

DRAFT – Work in Progress 

ANSP = Air Navigation Service Provider 

ARC Aviation Rulemaking Committee 

FAA Office of Airports 

AST FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation 

DLRW Dynamic Launch and Reentry Window 

EIM Enterprise Information Management 

LOA Letter of Agreement 

MOU = Memorandum of Understanding 

NAS National Airspace System 

NEAP NAS Effects Analysis Prototype 

NOD National Operations Dashboard 

NOTAM Notice to Airman 

NSIC NAS Space Integration Capability 

PERTI Plan/Execute/Review/Train/Improve 

SDI = Space Data Integrator 

SWIM System Wide Information 

Management 

TBLP Time based Launch Procedures 

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Goal: Increase access for vertical operations transiting to 

and from Upper E with safety and efficiency for all NAS users 

Objective Outcomes Initiatives/Completion 0–3-year 5-year 7-year 

Identify policy 

barriers and mitigations 

to safely improve 

access (e.g., lost C2 

link, detect-and-avoid, 

certification) 

Identify research and 

policy decisions and 

priorities (e.g., 

surveillance and see-andavoid alternatives from 

ARCs) 

Use of safety mitigations 

and updated procedures 

expand access to 

unmanned vehicles 

Use LOAs and MOUs to 

establish roles and 

responsibilities related to 

unmanned vehicles, 

enabling access to the 

NAS 

Access is normalized via 

procedures, policies and 

methods including support 

for vehicle-to-vehicle 

separation 

• NOTAM standardized practices (0-3)* 

• Implement updated Safety Risk Management 

solutions* 

• Expedited COAs and waivers* 

• Implement airspace, vehicle & equipment 

certification, separation regulations and guidance (as 

appropriate), policies, and standardized procedures* 

• Advisory Circular of safety and equipage best 

practices* 

Implement training 

Standardize ATC 

procedures to ensure 

operations are 

managed safely and 

consistently across the 

NAS 

Understand and analyze 

current operational 

practices then implement 

best practices 

Standardized procedures 

across ATC facilities 

tailored to each vehicle 

type 

Update and add 

standardized procedures 

as new vehicle types are 

introduced 

• Implement airspace, policies, and standardized 

procedures 

• Implement training 

Implement a 

collaboration forum to 

reduce impact on all 

NAS users 

Communicate, partner 

with, and establish 

collaboration mechanisms 

Collaboration leads to 

improved mission planning 

reducing impact on NAS 

Community-based 

performance metrics are 

routinely applied 

• FEAs for monitoring airspace demand (0-3) 

• NEAP for evaluating historical airspace demand (0-3) 

• Establish collaboration forum 

• Industry use of impact assessment tools for mission 

planning (e.g., RIA) 

• Establish guidelines to support departure and landing 

sites 

Use automation to Additional decision 

improve safety and Identify the automation Improved situational 

awareness allows ATC to support tailored to vehicle • Concept exploration in accordance with ARC recommendations* efficiently manage framework handle increased demand performance supports • Add automation functionality (i.e., ERAM)* operations increased traffic density 

Green indicates active initiatives and completion timeframe 

DRAFT – Work in Progress * = ARC Recommendation 

Federal Aviation 

Administration 

ARC Aviation Rulemaking Committee 

ATC = Air Traffic Control 

COA = Certificate of Authorization 

ERAM En Route Modernization 

FEA Flow Evaluation Area 

LOA Letter of Agreement 

MOU = Memorandum of Understanding 

NAS National Airspace System 

NEAP NAS Effects Analysis Prototype 

NOTAM Notice to Airman 

RIA = Rapid Impact Assessment 

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Goal: Enable Upper E operations with safety and 

efficiency for all NAS users 

Objective Outcomes Initiatives/Completion 0-3-year 5-year 7-year 

Establish safety 

requirements (based on 

Target Level of Safety), 

and risk-based conflict 

management 

procedures 

Existing capabilities and 

procedures are adapted 

to provide strategic 

deconfliction 

ALTRVs evolve to better 

address Higher Airspace 

strategic deconfliction 

Initial vehicle - vehicle 

deconfliction framework 

for achieving TLS 

• CARF automation and procedures (0-3) 

• ANG, NASA, and industry RTT (0-3) 

• Safety Risk Management solutions to meet TLS 

• Airspace access priority guidance, safety-risk metrics 

• Implement policies, and standardized 

deconfliction procedures 

Make needed policy 

changes and 

procedures to support 

diverse operations in 

Upper E 

Identify CNS and 

interoperability needs 

(e.g., geometric vs 

barometric altitude 

reporting) 

Prioritized regulatory 

roadmap aligned with 

industry and ANG 

concepts 

Guidance for 

implementing communitybased flight rules 

• Assess matured ETM CONOPS (0-3) 

• Pursue regulations 

• Implement policies, and standardized procedures 

• Research associated CNS needs and requirements, 

implement guidance 

Collaborate and 

partnering with industry 

Establish interoperability 

standards for vehicle 

trajectory and 

performance 

LOAs and 

MOUs establish data 

sharing mechanisms 

Initial infrastructure 

supporting interoperable 

information sharing and 

negotiation 

• NOTAM standardized use (0-3)* 

• Policies, and standardized procedures to support 

data sharing 

• Implement collaboration forum 

• International collaboration & harmonization 

Implement decision 

support to enable 

interoperability among 

traffic management 

environments (strategic 

and tactical) 

LOAs and MOUs clarify 

roles and responsibilities 

of operators and FAA 

Expedited sharing 

of status and off-nominal 

situation 

assistance via automation 

Maturing decision support 

for off-nominal events and 

automated resolution of 

conflicts 

• CARF automation and procedures (0-3) 

• Policies and standardized procedures to support off 

nominal (including loss of C2 link*) 

• Enhanced automation* 

Green indicates active initiatives and completion timeframe 

Federal Aviation 

Administration 

ALTRV = Altitude reservation 

ANG FAA Office of NextGen 

ANSP = Air navigation Service Provider 

C2 Command and Control 

CARF Central Altitude Reservation Function 

CNS Communication, Navigation and Surveillance 

ETM = Upper Class E Traffic Management 

DRAFT – Work in Progress * = ARC Recommendation 

FAA Federal Aviation Administration 

LOA Letter of Agreement 

MOU = Memorandum of Understanding 

NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

NOTAM Notice to Airman 

RTT Research Transition Team 

TLS = Target Level of Safety 

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Potential Research Areas 

• NAS integration and strategic/tactical 

deconfliction 

– Target level of safety, policy, and procedures 

– CNS and interoperability needs 

– Surveillance alternatives, e.g., Space-based ADS-B 

for Upper E, transiting, and some space operations 

• Collaboration with industries beyond 

aviation 

– Policy, regulations, potential rule-making 

– Data sharing, automation, including 3rd party service 

providers 

Federal Aviation 

Administration 

9 
Backup 

Federal Aviation 

Administration 

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Transiting Operations Mapped to Current ATM 

Services 

Vehicle Category 

Current ATM Services 

Flight PlanningAir Traffic ControlSeparation AssuranceAir Traffic ControlAdvisoryTraffic ManagementSynchronizationTraffic ManagementStrategic FlowEmergency and AlertingNavigationAirspace Design and ManagementGovernment/Agency Support 

Aircraft 

• Subsonic Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 

• Supersonic Y Y Y Y Y Y P Y Y 

Hypersonic vehicles N N N N N N N P TBD 

Lighter-than-Air 

• High-Altitude Balloons N N N N N TBD N N Y 

• Airships (Blimps) Y Y P N N Y Y Y Y 

Space L/R Vehicles 

• Vertical Launch N Y N N N Y N Y Y 

• Horizontal Take Off and Launch P Y P N N Y Y Y Y 

• Captive-Carry Launch Y/N Y Y/N Y/N Y/N Y Y/N Y Y 

• Capsule Reentry N Y N N N N N Y Y 

• Winged Reentry/Winged Suborbital Landing N Y P N N N P Y Y 

• Fly-backs (Rocket Stages) N Y N N N N N Y Y 

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles 

• HALE Y Y P N N Y Y Y Y 

• Unmanned Fixed Wing (e.g., Global Hawk) Y Y Y N N Y Y Y Y 

Other Vehicles: 

• Hybrids (rocket launched from High-Altitude 

Balloon), Unmanned Gliders, Parafoils, Ultralights, 

Parachutes, Lasers, etc. 

TBD TBD TBD TBD N TBD TBD Y Y 

Federal Aviation 

Administration 

11 
 

Federal Aviation 

Administration 

12 Table from Business Outlook for reference in 

developing Needed ATM Services Timeline