Browsing: FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation

The FAA is getting ready to begin evaluating the environmental impact of SpaceX Starship launches from a pad at the Kennedy Space Center. This review reflects the modifications made to the vehicle since the last assessment in 2019.

The FAA is revising its licensing regulations to prevent a repeat of a situation last year where a spacecraft launched without approvals to return.

Two newly proposed laws in the Senate aim to change the regulation of commercial space operations, including starting the process of eventually ending the "learning period" that restricts safety rules for human spaceflight.

SpaceX hopes to carry out the next launch of its Starship vehicle as early as May, depending on how quickly it can get an amended launch license.

The Federal Aviation Administration is asking for a significant budget increase for its commercial space office to keep up with the growing demand for launches and to prepare for potential new regulatory responsibilities.

Congress has passed a final fiscal year 2024 spending bill that provides, in some cases, significantly less funding than requested for civil space programs.