Federal Aviation Administration: Commercial Space Launch Industry Developments Present Multiple Challenges
Abstract
The U.S. commercial space launch industry has changed considerably since the enactment of the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004. FAA is required to license or permit commercial space launches, but to allow the space tourism industry to develop, the act prohibited FAA from regulating crew and space flight participant safety before 2012a moratorium that was later extended but will now expire on September 30,2015. Since October 2014, there have been three mishaps involving FAA licensed or permitted launches. GAO was asked to examine the changes in the commercial space launch industry and FAAs oversight of the industry. This report addresses, among other things, (1) changes in the industry over the last decade, (2) FAA challenges in addressing industry developments, and (3) FAAs launch licensing workload and budget. GAO reviewed FAAs guidance and documentation on its launch permit, licensing, and safety oversight activities; interviewed FAA officials, industry stakeholders, and experts who were selected on the basis of their knowledge of FAAs oversight of the commercial space launch industry; and visited the spaceports where the two 2014 launch mishaps occurred.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1169734
Entities
People
- Gerald L. Dillingham
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office