WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration is moving ahead with a long-awaited committee to evaluate ways to improve launch licensing regulations as one executive calls for far greater changes.
The FAA announced Nov. 14 the establishment of an aerospace rulemaking committee, also known as a SpARC, that would examine potential changes to the FAA’s Part 450 rule for licensing launches and reentries. The SpARC is expected to hold its first meeting in early December.
“The FAA is seeking to update the licensing rule to foster more clarity, flexibility, efficiency and innovation,” Kelvin Coleman, FAA associate administrator for commercial space transportation, said in a statement. “Making timely licensing determinations without compromising public safety is a top priority.”
The Part 450 rules went into effect in March 2021 after an accelerated rulemaking process prompted by the first Trump administration’s Space Policy Directive 2. The regulations were intended to streamline launch and reentry licensing, but many companies have reported problems applying for licenses under the new rules.
Part 450 was a key topic at a Sept. 10 hearing by the House Science Committee’s space subcommittee. “The way it is being implemented today has caused severe licensing delays, confusion and is jeopardizing our long-held leadership position,” said Dave Cavossa, president of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, at that hearing.
At a Sept. 16 meeting of the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC), Coleman said the FAA plans to ask companies that have gone through the Part 450 licensing process to participate in the SpARC. The FAA, in its Nov. 14 announcement, did not disclose the membership of the committee but said that it is “reaching out to invite stakeholders to participate.”
There is an urgency to update the Part 450 regulations since all existing licenses under older regulations must transfer to Part 450 by March…
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