A vehicle operator license may authorize launch, reentry, or both.  The license covers pre- and post-flight operations as defined in 14 CFR 450. 

Part 450 covers launch operations that exceed 150 km in altitude, have a thrust in excess of 200,000 lb-sec or are launching a payload for hire. For more information on other operations that may not meet these parameters, please use our Commercial Space Transportation Assistance Tool.

Pre-Application Consultation Guidance Materials

For an overview of the authorization process including the pre-application process, see the Getting Started with Licensing page. Below are specific pre-application tools for Vehicle Operator License applications.

• Part 450: Pre-Application Consultation Checklist (PDF)
  • The information in this checklist provides a framework to successfully navigate pre-application consultation. 
  • Topics in the checklist include:
    • Concept of Operations (CONOPs)
    • Scope of License
    • Means of Compliance (MOC) required before application acceptance pursuant to § 450.35(a)
    • Unique MOC
    • Incremental Review
• Part 450 Means of Compliance Table (PDF)
• • Part 450 accepted means of compliance table shows previously approved means of compliance to sections of part 450.  
  • As means of compliance are approved, they will be added (new standards, new Advisory Circulars, etc.)
• Part 450 Application Compliance Checklist (MS Excel)
  • Application Requirement
  • 450 Regulations
  • Sample Compliance Document List
• Part 450 Application Letter Template (PDF)
• Flight Safety Analysis (FSA) Guidance Documents
  • Guidance Statement on Flight Safety Analysis Methodology Descriptions (PDF)
    This document provides guidance to help operators develop methodology descriptions in accordance with § 450.115.
  • Handling Variability and Uncertainty in Flight Safety Analysis (PDF)
    This paper attempts to provide a logical framework to provide guidance on the requirements in § 450.117(a) and § 450.135(a).
  • Treatment of Uncertainty in Flight Safety Analysis (PDF)
    This document provides guidance to a launch/reentry operator on how to handle different kinds of data uncertainty when analyzing flight safety related risks to the public.
  • Guidance Statement on Hazardous Scenarios (PDF)

Accepted Means of Compliance

The Part 450 Means of Compliance Table (PDF) provides at least one accepted means of compliance for each performance based requirement in Part 450 Subpart C. This table also includes estimated issuance date for all planned Advisory Circulars.

Advisory Circulars

The FAA has developed Advisory Circulars to provide guidance on meeting the regulations. Part 450 focuses on approving methodologies to obtain a license. The table below contains all of the Part 450 Advisory Circulars. An estimated issuance date for all planned ACs can be found in the Part 450 Means of Compliance Table (PDF). 

450 Commercial Space Advisory Circulars (ACs)

Looking for additional or more specific resources? Resources and Additional Information.

Safety Reviews

The safety review is the principal component of vehicle operator license evaluations and becomes part of the licensing record on which the FAA bases licensing determinations. In general, the safety review consists of evaluating the applicant’s safety organization, system safety processes, and flight safety analysis, as well as quantitative risk criteria for launch, reentry, and vehicle disposal.

Flight Safety Analysis (FSA) Workshop Video (450.108 Workshop) September 20, 2024

Flight Safety Analysis (FSA) Workshop Slides: September 20, 2024

Flight Safety Analysis (FSA) Methodology Workshop Slides: August 11, 2023

Flight Safety Analysis (FSA) Methodology Workshop Video

Policy Reviews and Approvals

The FAA reviews a license application to determine whether it presents any issues affecting U.S. national security or foreign policy interests, or international obligations of the United States. A major element of the policy review is the interagency review of the proposal. An interagency review allows government agencies to examine the proposed operation from their unique perspectives. 

The FAA consults with the Department of Defense, the Department of State, and other federal agencies such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration that are authorized to address national security, foreign policy, or international obligation issues. Procedures for completing the Policy Review are described in 14 CFR Part 450.41 for Vehicle Operator License.

For more information about export and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) requirements, see the guidebook: U.S. Export Controls for the Commercial Space Industry

Payload Reviews

A Payload Review is normally performed as part of a launch or reentry authorization. However, an applicant may request a Payload Review and determination in advance of and separately from a launch or reentry authorization. For more information, please see the Payload Reviews page.

Environmental Reviews

The FAA analyzes the environmental impacts of proposed licensed and permitted actions, including the licensing of launch and reentry activities, the operation of launch and reentry sites, and the issuing of permits for suborbital reusable rockets. For more information, please see the Environmental page.

Financial Responsibilities

Financial responsibilities for permitted and licensed launch or reentry activities are described on the Financial Responsibilities page.

Part 450 – Launch and Reentry License Requirements Workshop Training

This includes an interactive:
•    Overview
•    Subpart Modules
•    Guidance
•    FAQs
•    Legacy Information

Part 450 Workshop

FAA hosted a virtual Part 450 Workshop on November 4-6, 2020. FAA's subject matter experts have reviewed each topic under Part 450 in chronological order. A crosswalk of mapping tools that compare the new rule to legacy regulations was also presented on Day 3.

• Full Agenda (PDF)
• Slides for Day 1: Wednesday, November 4th (PDF)
• Slides for Day 2: Thursday, November 5th (PDF)
• Slides for Day 3: Friday, November 6th (PDF)

Legacy Regulations

For operators currently licensed under Legacy Regulations (Part 415/417, Part 431, or Part 435) during the transition to Part 450 licensing, additional resources are available on the Legacy Regulations webpage.