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TraCSS Frequently Asked Questions
This page hosts answers to frequently asked questions related to the Traffic Coordination System for Space. To submit additional questions for consideration, contact us.
TraCSS remains a top departmental priority. The Office of Space Commerce is progressing deliberately toward meeting the TraCSS program’s goals, with the Department’s current focus on retiring known risks in its production environment before publishing an updated integrated schedule. This approach protects mission outcomes, fiscal responsibility, and long-term system stability.
No. Initially, TraCSS will provide spaceflight services in parallel with those provided by the U.S. military through space-track.org. This allows spacecraft operators who have relied on space-track to become familiar with the TraCSS system while still having access to existing services. However, the intention is that eventually the military will stop routinely providing the spaceflight safety services that are available through TraCSS. The military will continue to monitor objects in orbit, develop the authoritative catalog of space objects, conduct analyses, and work with partners to support their national security mission. This is aligned with Space Policy Directive 3, which called for a civil agency to take over this responsibility to allow the military to focus on maintaining access to and freedom of action in space.
OSC engages actively through one-on-one conversations, public listening sessions, conferences, and workshops to understand stakeholder concerns and requirements. We are closely collaborating with pilot users and expanding user participation ahead of TraCSS’s anticipated production release in 2026.
Opportunities to engage with the TraCSS team are regularly communicated through our public channels, including our website, social media, and stakeholder engagement lists.
Stakeholders interested in engaging with TraCSS may reach out to TraCSS.Outreach@noaa.gov.
Resources and materials, including videos, listening sessions, and documents, can be accessed here.
TraCSS encourages interested spacecraft operators to sign-up for the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS) waitlist. TraCSS will use this waitlist to invite spacecraft operators to join the system.
The TraCSS waitlist registration page may be accessed here.
Note that at this time, TraCSS accounts are only available to organizations that own and/or operate spacecraft in orbit.
Other entities (researchers, commercial entities, etc.) interested in receiving updates on the TraCSS program are encouraged to sign-up for the Office of Space Commerce “stakeholder engagement” contact lists, here.
In March 2025, the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS) released its first official Data and Information Policy and User Agreement. The TraCSS data policy leads the world in openness and transparency, consistent with Space Policy Directive-3, enabling global space safety and the continued growth of commercial space activities.
This document was updated in August 2025 and may be accessed here.
In January 2026, the Office of Space Commerce published updated technical specification documents for TraCSS. They may be accessed here.
To enhance operational awareness and system updates, TraCSS offers optional SMS (text message) notifications for authorized users. These messages may include real-time alerts, scheduled maintenance updates, and critical system communications.
The TraCSS authorized user SMS opt-in form may be downloaded here (.DOC).
OSC provides TraCSS “as is” and without any warranties, including, for example, that data and information from TraCSS will be error free or that access will be uninterrupted. The United States Government is immune from any suit arising from the provision or receipt of SSA data or information.
TraCSS aims to become the world’s largest, most transparent, safety-focused SSA system, globally available free of charge to operators.
OSC collaborates closely with international counterparts to establish frameworks for data sharing and enhance global space operation safety. In 2024, OSC articulated its Vision for Global SSA Coordination as a framework for this international coordination.
For example, OSC is actively involved in developing data standards with industry and government partners, including close collaboration with EUSST (the EU’s SSA system), focusing on notification thresholds and service scope.