CSF Welcomes DOT-FAA/AST Launch & Reentry Licensing Rulemaking: Continued ‘Reform Partnership’ Will Enable Industry’s Rapid Advancement

Washington, DC – Today, the Commercial Spaceflight Federation (CSF) welcomed the release of the FAA’s newly- completed “Streamlined Launch and Reentry Licensing Requirements” rulemaking, the next step in urgently needed reform of U.S. commercial space transportation regulations.

“CSF and its members express our gratitude to Vice President Mike Pence who led the National Space Council in mandating this reform, Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, FAA Administrator Steve Dickson and Deputy Administrator Dan Elwell. We especially thank the talented and hardworking team in FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation, led by Associate Administrator Wayne Monteith, for their efforts to revise the NPRM and achieve the goals in Space Policy Directive 2 while still licensing an unprecedented number of commercial space launches and reentries,” said Audrey Powers, Chairwoman of the CSF Board of Directors.

“CSF members uniformly advocated for significant changes to the 2019 proposal, and we look forward to studying this voluminous final rule and accompanying Advisory Circulars,” said Eric Stallmer, President of CSF. “We are hopeful that this revised regulation takes a significant step in fostering a safe, efficient, innovative, and internationally-competitive U.S. commercial space industry. But we also strongly support the FAA’s Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee’s recent recommendation that the Secretary establish a new AeroSpace Rulemaking Committee to develop further refinements to this rule and start the challenging task of revising other space transportation regulations to conform with this new rule and embrace the diverse nature of the commercial industry,” Stallmer concluded.

About CSF

The Commercial Spaceflight Federation is the leading voice for the commercial spaceflight industry. Founded in 2006, CSF and its 85+ members are laying the foundation for a sustainable space economy and democratizing access to space for scientists, students, civilians, and businesses. CSF members are responsible for the creation of thousands of high-tech jobs driven by billions of dollars in investment. Through the promotion of technology innovation, CSF is guiding the expansion of Earth’s economic sphere, bolstering U.S. leadership in aerospace, and inspiring America’s next generation of engineers and explorers.