Federal Register #FAA-2026-9937

FAA proposed clarification of commercial space flight safety limit calculations

The Federal Aviation Administration proposes clarifying flight-safety calculations for commercial space launch and reentry licensing; this is a rulemaking, not a procurement opportunity. - Government buyer and issuing office: U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Office of Commercial Space Transportation. - Proposed change: Revise 14 CFR 450.108(c)(4) to clarify how operators calculate conditional expected casualties (CEC) when establishing flight safety limits. - Average outcomes involving flight abort and flight outside the limits of a useful mission. - Evaluate each reasonably foreseeable off-trajectory failure mode during each significant period of flight. - Purpose and impact: Reduce applicant confusion and licensing burden; FAA estimates one-time savings of $1,347 per operator. - No products, equipment, OEMs, vendors, or commercial services are being solicited. No new information collection requirements are proposed.

Description

The Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend its commercial space launch and reentry licensing regulations in 14 CFR Part 450 to streamline licensing and reduce regulatory burden. The proposal clarifies requirements for establishing flight safety limits that define when a vehicle operator must initiate flight abort. It would clarify how conditional expected casualties are calculated by averaging outcomes involving flight abort or flight outside the limits of a useful mission. Comments are due December 9, 2026.

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