ASTM International to Host Organizational Meeting on Potential Commercial Spaceflight Standards

W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., Sept. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- With support from industry and government leaders, ASTM International will host an organizational meeting to potentially create a new technical committee that develops voluntary consensus standards for commercial spaceflight. 

This meeting comes in part as a result of the updated U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act of 2015 (CSLCA).  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC) is recommending the organization of the new group.

The no-fee meeting is Monday, Oct. 24, at 1 p.m. EDT at RTCA Inc. in, Washington, D.C., USA. Industry stakeholders and others interested in charting a path towards standardization for commercial spaceflight are welcome to attend.

Consensus standards from organizations like ASTM International are known to enhance safety and efficiency in aerospace.  New standards could support the growing number of people and entities who design, manufacture, and operate commercial space vehicles for both human and unmanned flights. Human spaceflight occupant safety will be an area of immediate focus, according to those who have expressed initial interest.

The objectives of the meeting are to:

• bring an array of industry experts together;
• identify specific standards needs;
• determine if ASTM International should formally launch a new activity; and, if so,
• develop and approve title, scope, and structure of a new technical committee.

The meeting will include: an overview of ASTM International, background on industry and government interest in standards development, and a review of initial areas to be considered. For more information and to register, click here, or contact Christine DeJong at +1.610.832.9736 or [email protected].

DeJong, director of business development, notes that ASTM International stands ready to accommodate this new effort. With nearly 150 committees and more than 12,000 standards in its portfolio, ASTM International is one of the world's largest developers of globally recognized standards and related products and services. It provides a management system to develop standards for materials, products, systems, and services across many industries. 

ASTM International meets the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles for developing international standards, and ASTM standards are used globally in research and development, product testing, quality systems, commercial transactions, and more.

To learn more about the ASTM International process, visit www.astm.org/ABOUT/full_overview.  To join, go to www.astm.org/JOIN.

Helping our world work better
Over 12,000 ASTM standards operate globally. Defined and set by us, they improve the lives of millions every day. Combined with our innovative business services, they enhance performance and help everyone have confidence in the things they buy and use – from the toy in a child's hand to the aircraft overhead.

Working across borders, disciplines, and industries we harness the expertise of over 30,000 members to create consensus and improve performance in manufacturing and materials, products and processes, systems and services. Understanding commercial needs and consumer priorities, we touch every part of everyday life: helping our world work better.

ASTM Commercial Spaceflight Meeting: Oct. 24, 2016, RTCA, Inc.; 1150 18th St. NW, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20036
Media Inquiries: Dan Bergels, tel +1.610.832.9602; [email protected] 
ASTM Staff Contact: Christine DeJong, tel +1.610.832.9736; [email protected]

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SOURCE ASTM International

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