Chapter 31. Rocket and
Launch-Vehicle Operations
Section 1. General
31-1-1. PURPOSE
This chapter provides guidance, policies, and
procedures for processing requests for rocket and
launch vehicle operations in the NAS.
31-1-2. AUTHORITY
a. Public Law (PL) 98-575. Congress enacted
PL 98-575, Commercial Space Launch Act of 1984,
codified at 49 USC subtitle IX, Chapter 701, with its
purpose to:
1. Promote economic growth and
entrepreneurial activity through utilization of
the space environment for peaceful purposes.
2. Encourage the U.S. private sector to provide
launch vehicles and associated launch services by
simplifying and expediting the issuance or transfer
of launch licenses and by facilitating and encouraging the utilization of Government-developed
space technology.
3. Designate an executive department to
oversee and coordinate the conduct of launch
operations, to issue and transfer launch licenses
authorizing such activities, and to ensure that public
health and safety, foreign policy, and national
security interests of the United States are satisfied.
b. Part 101 prescribes rules governing the
operation in the United States of moored balloons,
kites, unmanned rockets, and unmanned free
balloons.
Part 400 establishes procedures and requirements
regarding the authorization and supervision of all
space launch activities conducted from within U.S.
territory or by U.S. citizens. The part 400
regulations, however, do not apply to amateur
rocket activities or to space launch activities
carried out by the U.S. Government on behalf of
the U.S. Government.
31-1-3. POLICY
It is air traffic policy that all rocket launch vehicle
proposals that seek a waiver of part 101 requirements, and that are expected to reach an altitude
higher than 25,000 feet above ground level, and
those rockets/launch-vehicles that are categorized as
"amateur" or licenseable under part 400 shall be
forwarded to Airspace and Rules for headquarters
review. Airspace and Rules will coordinate the
proposals with AST and submit a waiver recommendation to the concerned service area office.
31-1-4. RESPONSIBILITY
a. Air traffic continues to have the waiver
authority for certain categories of amateur rockets,
and is responsible for integrating all rocket and
launch-vehicle operations into the NAS. Additionally, AST is responsible for issuing licenses for
non-Federal government space launches, launch
sites, space reentry, reentry sites and their
associated operations. Therefore, communication
and coordination between AST and air traffic is
paramount. Since the AST line of business is not
currently represented at the regional headquarters
level, the required AST coordination must occur at
the FAA Headquarters level.
b. Airspace and Rules is air traffic's point of
contact for such activities and is directly responsible
for coordinating certain proposals regarding
airspace operations and procedures with AST.
c. The Licensing and Safety Division, AST-200,
within the Office of Commercial Space
Transportation is responsible for the licensing of
launch sites and those launch vehicle operations
that fall under part 400. Additionally, any required
waivers and/or exemptions to part 400 will also
be issued by AST-200.
31-1-5. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ANALYSIS
a. Launch site and reentry actions are subject to
NEPA Order 1050.1, Policies and Procedures for
Considering Environmental Impacts, and other
applicable regulations, public laws, and statutes.
b. All NEPA requirements associated with
licensed commercial space transportation activities
will be addressed by AST as part of the site licensing
process.
31-1-6. DEFINITIONS
As used in this chapter, the following terms are
defined below:
a. Unmanned rockets. Those rocket operations
conducted by private citizens or model rocket clubs
for the sole purpose of pursuing and enjoying a
hobby. These types of rockets are categorized as
either small or large based on their characteristics as
described below.
1. Small model/amateur rockets. Rockets are
generally small in size, and have a short propellant
burn time (less than 15 seconds). Usually, these
rockets have trajectories and flight paths that can be
easily monitored by the operator and/or spotters
to ensure the safety provisions contained in
Section 101.23 are met.
2. Large model/amateur rockets. Rockets that
are normally larger, and have greater propellant burn
times (equal to or greater than 15 seconds). These
rockets will most always enter controlled airspace
requiring a waiver to part 101.
b. Other unmanned rockets. Those rockets or
missiles that use more than 125 grams of propellant,
or weigh more than 1,500 grams, including the
propellant, must comply with all the requirements of
part 101, Subpart C - Unmanned Rockets, and may
require a license (or exemption) to operate under
part 400 depending on other rocket characteristics.
c. Launch Vehicles. Launch vehicles built to
operate, or place any payload, in outer space, low
earth orbit, or a sub-orbital trajectory (equal to or
greater than 15 seconds). Part 400 requires that
operations of launch vehicles be licensed by AST.
|
