International Affairs
The FAA welcomes international inquiries about its commercial space transportation regulations.
As the capabilities of the commercial space industry expands, regulators face new challenges to maintain public safety while enabling industry growth.
Since 1989, the FAA has licensed more than 400 commercial space launches and more than 25 commercial space reentries. The FAA also licenses the operation of spaceports (non-federal launch sites).
U.S. law and FAA regulations can serve as a framework for other countries to consider as they develop their own regulation of commercial space launches, reentries and spaceports. In addition, U.S. launch or reentry operators conducting space activities internationally may have to comply with host country regulations and licensing. As a result, there is the possibility of dual licensing requirements. A common regulatory foundation can increase interoperability between countries and decrease the potential for unnecessary duplication.
Under FAA regulations, any U.S. commercial space launch or reentry operator launching or reentering outside the United States is required to be licensed by the FAA. In addition, any non-U.S. commercial spacel launch and reentry vehicles operating in the United States must be licensed by the FAA.
Ground Safety Approach for FAA Licensed International Launch or Reentry Activity
For additional information about the FAA Commercial Space Transportation International Outreach program, contact:
Pam Underwood
Director, Office of Spaceports
FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST)
(321) 474-9570
John Sloan
Program Lead for International Outreach
FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST)
(202) 267-7989
International Memorandum of Cooperation and Agreements
| Host Country | Memorandum of Cooperation and Agreement Links |
|---|---|
| UK and Northern Ireland | Declaration of Intent - DOT US and DFO United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, signed May 11, 2022 |
| Brazil | Joint Declaration of Intent – FAA and AEB, signed December 13, 2021 (PDF) |
| Germany | Memorandum of Cooperation — FAA and DLR, signed October 24, 2019 (PDF) |
| New Zealand | Memorandum of Cooperation — FAA and New Zealand MBIE, signed February 27, 2018 (PDF) |
| United Arab Emirates | Memorandum of Cooperation — FAA and United Arab Emirates signed November 13, 2017 (PDF) |
| Italy | Memorandum of Cooperation — FAA and Italy ENAC signed June 30, 2016 (PDF) Memorandum of Cooperation — FAA and Italy ENAC signed March 12, 2014 (PDF) |
| France | Memorandum of Cooperation — FAA and France CNES signed June 16, 2015 (PDF) |
| United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | Memorandum of Cooperation — FAA and United Kingdom, signed July 2014 (PDF) |
International Spaceports
Africa, Europe, and Asia
United Kingdom
- Prestwick Spaceport
- Shetland Space Centre
- Spaceport 1
- Spaceport Cornwall
- Spaceport Machrihanish
- Spaceport Snowdonia
- Space Hub Sutherland
Europe
- Azores (Portugal)
- Canary Islands (Spain)
- El Arenosillo (Spain)
- Andoya (Norway)
- Kiruna (Sweden)
Russia
- Plesetsk
- Dombarovsky
- Vostochny
Kazakhstan
- Baikonur
Iran
- Imam Khomeni
Israel
- Palmachim AB
Italics:
Proposed Spaceports
Western Hemisphere
United States
Please go to the Spaceports by States page
https://www.faa.gov/space/spaceports_by_state/
Canada
- Canso
French Guinana
- Guinana Space Center (France)
Brazil
- Alcantara
Italics: Proposed Spaceports
East Asia and Pacific Nations
China
- Jiuquan
- Taiyuan
- Xichang
- Wenchang
India
- Satish Dhawan
- Kulasekarapattinam
Indonesia
- Morotai
Australia
- Woomera
- Koonibba
- Arnhem
- Whalers Way
Italics: Proposed Spaceports
North Korea
- Sohae
- Tonghae
South Korea
- Naro
Japan
- Uchinoura
- Tanegashima
Pacific Islands
- Anderson AFB,
Guam (US) - Pacific Missile Range
Facility, Hawaii (US) - Reagan Test Site
Kwajalein Atoll (US)
New Zealand
- Rocket Lab
Launch Complex 1
Publications
- Regulatory Preparation for U.S. Commercial Human Spaceflight, IAC Paris; September 2022
- Update to Streamlining FAA Commercial Space Transportation Regulations, IAC Dubai October 2021 (PDF)
- Streamlining FAA Commercial Space Transportation Regulations, IAC Washington, October 2019 (PDF)
- FAA Proposed Consequence Protection Criteria for Flight Safety Systems and Flight Abort for Commercial Space Transportation (PDF)
- Commercial Crew Program and FAA Licensing, IAC Bremen October 2018 (PDF)
- Expectations for Countries Hosting FAA-Licensed Commercial Launches IAC Adelaide September 2017 (PDF)
- Workshops on Commercial Space Transportation, FAA IAC Adelaide September 2017 (PDF)
- Moon Village and the Role of Commercial Space Transportation IAC Guadalajara September 2016 (PDF)
- Safety Approvals, FAA AST IAC Jerusalem October 2015 (PDF)
- Recommended Practices for Commercial Human Space Flight IAC Toronto October 2014 (PDF)
- Certification vs Licensing, FAA/AST, IAC Naples, October 2012 (PDF)
- Industry Standards paper, IAC September 4 2013 FAA final (PDF)
- Informed Consent paper, IAC September 4 2013, FAA final (PDF)
- Exploration, CST Opportunities, Nield FAA paper, IAA SEC Dec 20 2013 (PDF)
- The Origin and Practice of U.S. Commercial Human Space Flight Regulation (PDF)
- Instant Access: The Uncommon Union of New Media & Spaceflight (MS PowerPoint)
- Suborbital Reusable Launch Vehicles and Emerging Markets (PDF)