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FAA Moves to Streamline Launch Licenses for Commercial Space Firms

Private companies launched or landed on U.S. soil 148 times in fiscal year 2024, a 30 percent increase year over year.

Jack Daleo

Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 05:55 PM ET

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Edited By: tccjeremy

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket is the launch vehicle of choice for both NASA and the Pentagon. [Courtesy: SpaceX]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA is streamlining its commercial spaceflight licensing process after a record-breaking year, seeing 137 launches/landings in FY2024 and a 900% increase over the past decade.
An Aerospace Rulemaking Committee (ARC) will be formed to update the Part 450 regulations by late summer 2025, aiming to foster clarity, flexibility, efficiency, and innovation.
This initiative addresses rapid industry growth and concerns from operators like SpaceX about bureaucratic delays, with the FAA emphasizing balancing efficiency with public safety.
The updates are crucial as the FAA projects commercial launches and landings could approach 300 per year by FY2028, requiring the agency to keep pace with technology and international competition.

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After a record year for commercial spaceflight, the FAA is taking steps to streamline the process for licensing launches and landings.

According to FAA data, commercial space operators launched from or landed on U.S. soil 137 times during fiscal year 2024—an uptick of 30 percent year over year and 900 percent over the past decade. The agency would like to see that cadence continue to grow and is launching an aerospace rulemaking committee (ARC) to refresh its launch licensing rules.

Jack Daleo

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.