[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 13, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 2267]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-732]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice of Public Meeting and Availability of Draft Interim Safety 
Guidance for Reusable Launch Vehicle Operators

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting and availability of draft interim 
safety guidance for reusable launch vehicle (RLV) operators.

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SUMMARY: The Associate Administrator for Commercial Space 
Transportation (AST) has developed a draft interim safety guidance for 
use by an applicant seeking a license to operate a reusable launch 
vehicle (RLV). The draft guidance is intended to assist an applicant in 
responding to public safety concerns of the agency associated with an 
application to conduct RLV operations.
    The safety objectives presented in the draft interim safety 
guidance are not regulations. The draft guidance reflects the agency's 
general approach to ensuring public safety is not jeopardized as a 
result of new launch vehicle technology. Until the FAA issues 
regulations that address the unique safety aspects associated with 
reentry of reentry vehicles and RLV operations, the FAA will consider 
license applications for RLV launch and reentry on a case-by-case 
basis, taking into account the operational capability of a proposed 
vehicle. Development of a license application by an RLV operator is 
facilitated through consultation between the agency and the applicant 
to assure public safety issues are identified and adequately addressed 
by the applicant. To the extent appropriate, existing licensing 
regulations will apply to applications to launch or reenter an RLV. 
However, for those unique safety aspects associated with RLV or reentry 
operations, the FAA is providing interim safety guidance that reflects 
public safety concerns of the FAA in evaluating a license applicant's 
capability to conduct safe launch and reentry operations.
    The FAA is also preparing proposed rules of general applicability 
that would address licensing requirements for RLV operators. Public 
comment will be invited on the content of the notice of proposed 
rulemaking. You may comment now on the draft interim safety guidance 
and you may also comment on the notice of proposed rulemaking after it 
is published in the Federal Register.
    The FAA will hold a public meeting for the purpose of gathering 
information from industry and the public generally concerning the 
safety objectives presented in the draft interim safety guidance. 
Please submit in writing any information that you would like to present 
to the FAA not later than 30 days after the public meeting, referencing 
Docket Number 29140 and addressed to the Rules Docket: Room 915G, 800 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591. The meeting is 
scheduled for February 11, 1999, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at DOT 
Headquarters located in the Nassif Building, 400 7th Street, SW., 
Washington D.C. The meeting will be conducted in Room 3200. Visitors 
must enter through the southwest corner of the building. Copies of the 
interim safety guidance material are available by contacting the Office 
of the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation 
(AST), 800 Independence Avenue SW., Room 331, Washington, DC 20591 or 
visiting AST's web site at http://ast.faa.gov/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Campbell (AST-200), Office of 
the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation (AST), 
800 Independence Avenue SW, Room 331, Washington, DC 20591, telephone 
(202) 267-8464.

    Issued in Washington, DC on January 7, 1999.
Manuel F. Vega,
Acting Deputy Associate Administrator for Commercial Space 
Transportation.
[FR Doc. 99-732 Filed 1-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P