[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 163 (Tuesday, August 25, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54909-54912]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-17290]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
[Docket No. FAA-2026-9736]
Siting New Spaceports and Use of Priority Airspace for Critical
Space Launch Corridors
ACTION: Notice; Request for information (RFI).
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SUMMARY: Under the leadership of President Trump and at the direction
of Secretary Duffy and Administrator Bedford, the U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are
pursuing opportunities to ensure the United States global dominance in
the commercial space transportation industry. The FAA is issuing this
RFI to solicit public and industry input on two key transportation-
related elements of President Trump's recently published 2026 National
Space Transportation Policy (NSTP): siting a new spaceport and the
development and use of priority airspace for critical space launch
corridors.
DATES: Written comments, including all supporting information and
documents, are requested on or before October 26, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are encouraged to submit responses to the
questions posed in this RFI, along with supporting information,
regarding the 2026 NSTP, to docket number FAA-2026-9736 using any of
the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S.
Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12-140,
West Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Privacy: DOT posts any comments received without edit, including
any personal information the commenter provides, to http://www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/
ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at http://www.dot.gov/privacy.
Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at
http://www.regulations.gov at any time. Follow the online instructions
for accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140
of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20590-0001, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Hatt, Federal Aviation
Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave.
SE, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: (202) 267-4156. Email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Purpose
The purpose of this RFI is to solicit information to support the
Department's analysis in expanding opportunities for commercial space
transportation and support the 2026 NSTP objectives.
In 2025, the United States was responsible for 217 of the 329
launches worldwide. This rapid increase cemented the United States as
the premier launch country. Looking forward, this ever-increasing
launch rate is expected to reach 10,000 FAA-licensed launches and
reentries a year by 2035, driving the cadence from a few launches a
week to several launches and reentries a day. As of today, over half of
U.S. launches originated from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and
Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Including Vandenberg Space Force Base
in California, these three Federal sites account for 83 percent of U.S.
launches.
On December 18, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order (E.O.)
14369, Ensuring American Space Superiority, to emphasize the reach of
human discovery, secure the Nation's
[[Page 54910]]
vital economic and security interests, unleash commercial development,
and lay the foundation for a new space age.\1\ New and upgraded
facilities, improved efficiency, and policy reforms will facilitate the
security and defense of vital U.S. national and economic commercial
space equities. In addition, President Trump's new 2026 NSTP directs
the Secretary of Transportation to identify ``potential locations for
additional launch facilities and targeted development or improvement of
launch infrastructure.'' Consistent with the Administration's E.O. and
the NSTP, the Department of Transportation (Department) is requesting
input regarding potential locations for new spaceports. Such spaceports
would ideally be viable locations to complement or augment many of the
operations from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Kennedy Space
Center, Vandenberg Space Force Base, and the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration's (NASA) Wallops Flight Facility.
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\1\ 90 FR 60537.
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The 2026 NSTP also tasks the Department to ``designate priority
airspace for critical space launch corridors.'' The Department seeks
input from the space and aviation industries and other interested
stakeholders. Specifically, the Department is interested in
considerations for developing priority airspace for critical space
launch corridors, the ideal requisites for priority airspace, and
concepts for differentiating standard airspace used for commercial
space activities from priority airspace.
This RFI is an invitation to submit information in response to
questions on the topics posed below in Section 4. Responses should be
as detailed as possible to facilitate a comprehensive review.
2. Background
The United States is the unquestioned leader in space launch and
reentry. Robust and varied commercial, civil, and national security
space launch activities form the backbone of U.S. space-based power.
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Kennedy Space Center, and
Vandenberg Space Force Base provide unprecedented access to space.
Federal ranges are strained to support both governmental and commercial
space launches, however. Even with enhanced efficiency at Federal
launch and reentry sites, the United States may find availability of
launch and reentry sites becoming a bottleneck to achieving the goals
of E.O. 14369 and the 2026 NSTP. While enhanced efficiency at Federal
launch sites will support the short-term increase in launch cadence and
demand, with surges in military, commercial, and civil space
activities, the United States must prepare for the rapid expansion of
launch cadence by supporting increased spaceport capacity, additional
launch sites, and support infrastructure to ensure continuous dominance
in commercial space.
The fundamental requirements that drove site selection for the
Eastern and Western Test Ranges in the 1950s remain unchanged.
Geography allowing launch and reentry over open water, available
infrastructure to support launch logistics (e.g., roads and utilities),
and accessibility to space with minimal overflight of foreign countries
were, and remain, key metrics to spaceport success. In addition to the
Federal launch and reentry ranges, NASA's Wallops Flight Facility adds
capacity to U.S. space launch. However, although Wallops shares many of
the attributes of the major Federal ranges, certain characteristics,
including tight physical constraints and only four launch pads with no
option for heavy spacelift, limit Wallops' ability to support future
space technology or to accommodate the expected increase in orbital
launch cadence.
The Department oversees FAA-licensed commercial spaceports and
private single-use launch sites. A viable spaceport involves several
tradeoffs. The Office of Commercial Space Transportation developed a
brief Spaceport Licensing Primer: An Introduction to the Spaceport
Licensing Process \2\ to provide information for individuals not
familiar with the development of commercial spaceports. The 2026 NSTP
recognizes, as a national space transportation goal, that ``by 2030,
our space transportation ranges must grow to support more than 1,000
launches and reentries every year.'' To ensure the United States
reaches this goal, it must add and modernize launch and reentry
infrastructure.
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\2\ https://www.faa.gov/space/office_spaceports/Spaceport-Licensing-Primer.pdf.
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A critical aspect of spaceport development will be funding.
Secretary Duffy recently established the National Infrastructure
Development Office (NIDO) in the Department to expand and encourage use
of public-private partnerships in infrastructure development. Public-
private partnerships could be a valuable and innovative tool for
structuring spaceport development in particular. This RFI solicits
information on funding mechanisms and the potential utility of public-
private partnerships in spaceport development.
In addition, the 2026 NSTP directs the Department to ``designate
priority airspace for critical space launch corridors.'' Currently,
U.S. launch operators work with the FAA Air Traffic Organization to
establish Aircraft Hazard Areas (AHAs) for space launches to protect
aircraft from space objects and falling debris. Because the same
spaceports support the majority of U.S. space launches, the same or
similar AHAs for safety are repeatedly used. FAA does not currently use
the term `space launch corridor.' The questions below are intended to
explore the relationship and assumptions related to the current AHAs
and the new critical space launch corridor concept. The concept of
airspace corridors, in general, is not new, and airspace corridors for
aviation users may vary in definition and use from space launch
corridors. For example, airspace corridors for aviation activities may
look and operate differently from a potential space launch corridor, as
the foundations for space launch safety account for collision and
debris. In contrast, most aviation activities need only account for
collision. From a space operator's perspective, request time and
availability are important factors enabling rapid launch cadence. From
an aviation perspective, advance notification of time, size, and
duration of AHAs are integral to maintaining both aviation safety and
airspace efficiency.
3. Nature of Information Request
The Department may use information obtained through this request to
assist in, inform, and research potential locations for viable
spaceport sites. The Department will also accept ideas for increasing
launch cadence at existing U.S. commercial spaceport sites.
The Department requests that information be provided in a written
statement. The Department may request additional information or
presentations from responders depending upon the details of the
responder's submission. Given the short timeframe for the Department's
identification and characterization of potential sites, responders
should assume that their written response is the best opportunity to
provide input and not hold out for an in-person meeting with the
Department.
[[Page 54911]]
4. Submittal Requests for RFI 3
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\3\ This is not a Screening Information Request or Request for
Offers. The Department is not seeking or accepting unsolicited
proposals related to this activity. The Department will not pay for
any information received or costs incurred in preparing a response
to this request. Any costs associated with a submittal are solely at
the interested vendor's expense. The Department reserves the right
to communicate with any, some, or none of the respondents. Any
submissions will remain with the Department for its use and will not
be returned to the respondents.
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Interested members of the public, including aerospace industry
stakeholders, are requested to submit information on the following:
Responder Information. Submit, as applicable:
Name, address, and affiliation (company if appropriate);
URL of company website (if applicable); and
Point of contact, including telephone number and email
address.
RFI Questions. Any interested member of the public, including any
aerospace industry stakeholder, is invited to provide information
responsive to the questions below. Responses will enable the Department
to evaluate the best locations for new U.S. spaceports and assist the
Department in establishing priority airspace for critical space launch
corridors.
1. (Spaceport Location criteria) What strategic criteria should the
Department use in evaluating new spaceport siting considerations?
What geographic aspects matter most: proximity to the
equator for prograde space launches, proximity to or separation from
densely populated regions, or other factors?
What logistical considerations should be evaluated,
including ease of development and access, as well as impediments to be
avoided?
What unique considerations would there be with an island
spaceport versus a site on the continental United States?
What international equities should be considered with
siting (e.g., early overflight of foreign territory)?
What should the primary safety considerations be for
siting of any new spaceport, given the current public safety criteria
of 1 x 10-4 casualties per operation?
2. (Existing Commercial Spaceports) Why are existing commercial
spaceports underutilized?
What Federal actions could be taken to increase orbital
launches from existing commercial spaceports?
Why haven't these underutilized spaceports developed into
operational spaceports? Can the development of existing commercial
spaceports be renewed?
3. (Previously Proposed Spaceports) Noting that the Department has
not been involved in selecting or developing new spaceports in the
past, several spaceport options have been previously considered. The
Department would like input on these potential locations.
Spaceport Shiloh, Florida. Space Florida proposed the
construction and operation of the Shiloh Launch Complex on
approximately 150 acres of undeveloped Federal land.
Camden Spaceport, Georgia. Initially, a site considered by
NASA for the Apollo program, planning progressed on Camden Spaceport
until local stakeholders pushed back in 2022, ending site development.
The County's current site license runs through December 2026.
Puerto Rico Spaceport. Initially conceptualized in the
2012-2016 timeframe. Spaceport Puerto Rico was considered for light and
medium launch vehicles.
Space launch rigs. Space launch from converted oil rigs or
custom-developed launch platforms.
4. (New Spaceport Location) The Department would like input on
potential new locations and other options not identified specifically
in this RFI.
Where might a new U.S. vertical spaceport site be
developed? Considering the factors identified in the Spaceport
Licensing Primer and FAA regulations on launch sites in Title 14 of the
Code of Federal Regulations part 420, what changes might the Department
make to encourage, facilitate, and promote development of a new
spaceport site?
Referring to the Spaceport Licensing Primer, what can the
Department do to address the four challenging areas in spaceport
development: (1) stakeholder engagement, (2) co-location with an
airport, (3) environmental issues, and (4) airspace integration?
Are there locations where the necessary infrastructure
already exists for establishing a spaceport? For example, transport
links such as wide-load highways or deep-water ports.
What are the primary costs associated with developing a
new spaceport?
What strategies and technologies could be utilized to
expedite construction?
What are the supply chain constraints for construction,
and how could they be addressed?
What energy constraints exist, and how could they be
addressed?
What funding constraints exist, and how could they be
addressed, to include alternative financing structures? How could
public-private partnerships best be leveraged to finance spaceport
development?
5. (Critical Space Launch Corridors) As the Department develops
critical space launch corridors, what expectations do the space and
aviation industries have regarding prioritization?
How can the implementation of space launch corridors limit
adverse impacts to airspace efficiency and the continued growth of the
air transportation industry?
What benefits to either or both industries would be
granted when utilizing critical space launch corridors?
What adjustments to operational and coordination timelines
might be made when utilizing critical space launch corridors?
Assuming standard existing procedures apply for activities
that do not use critical space launch corridors, what activities would
qualify for activation of the critical space launch corridors?
How would the payload characterization (commercial, civil,
or national security) impact the development or use of critical space
launch corridors?
What spaceports would most benefit from critical space
launch corridors: all spaceports, major use spaceports, or only Federal
spaceports?
What governance structures would enhance the use of
critical launch corridors, to include fees, operational restrictions,
or other oversight methodologies?
What limitations or emergency measures would need to be
established to ensure public safety during commercial space activities
and continued aviation safety for the flying public?
What environmental concerns should be considered in
determining where to locate, and when to activate, critical space
launch corridors?
How would the identification of a corridor as a ``critical
space launch corridor,'' which is not a current term in AHAs, increase
awareness, streamline timing requirements, and enable greater launch
cadence?
6. What questions are we not asking that are relevant to this
effort? Please identify those questions and provide responses.
5. Timeline and Delivery of Submittal
See also the DATES section of this notice. Written comments,
including all supporting information and documents, are requested on or
before October 26, 2026.
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Submittals: Interested parties must respond in writing. Responses
to the RFI questions should be concise and reasonable in length.
The Department may request clarification of responses directly
related to this RFI through direct contact with respondents.
Respondents must identify and clearly mark any proprietary information
contained in their submissions and must be prepared to provide
justification for confidential treatment to the Department of such
designations if requested. This proprietary information will be treated
confidentially by the Department; however, nothing alters the
Department's obligations under existing law, including any duties owed
by the Department under the Freedom of Information Act. The Department
may need the Respondent's justification of the proprietary designation
to support withholding the documents or information from public
disclosure upon request.
Issued in Washington, DC.
Sean P. Duffy,
Secretary of Transportation.
[FR Doc. 2026-17290 Filed 8-24-26; 8:45 am]
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