Streamlined Launch and Reentry Licensing Requirements; Extension of Comment Period

Published date31 May 2019
Record Number2019-11286
SectionProposed rules
CourtFederal Aviation Administration
Federal Register, Volume 84 Issue 105 (Friday, May 31, 2019)
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 105 (Friday, May 31, 2019)]
                [Proposed Rules]
                [Pages 25207-25208]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2019-11286]
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                DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                Federal Aviation Administration
                14 CFR Parts 401, 404, 413, 414, 415, 417, 420, 431, 433, 435, 437,
                440, and 450
                [Docket No.: FAA-2019-0229; Notice No. 19-01A]
                RIN 2120-AL17
                Streamlined Launch and Reentry Licensing Requirements; Extension
                of Comment Period
                AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
                ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); extension of comment
                period.
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                SUMMARY: This action extends the comment period for an NPRM that was
                published on April 15, 2019. In that document, the FAA proposed to
                streamline and increase the flexibility in the FAA's commercial space
                launch and reentry regulations. This action would consolidate and
                revise multiple regulatory parts and apply a single set of licensing
                and safety regulations across several types of operations and vehicles.
                The FAA is extending the comment period closing date to allow
                commenters time to adequately analyze the proposed rule and prepare
                response.
                DATES: The comment period for the NPRM published on April 15, 2019 at
                84 FR 15296 and scheduled to close on June 14, 2019, is extended until
                July 30, 2019.
                ADDRESSES: You may send comments identified by docket number FAA-2019-
                0229 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 (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room
                W12-140, West Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
                 Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket
                Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200
                New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
                through Friday, except Federal holidays.
                 Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at 202-493-2251.
                 Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments
                from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts
                these comments, without edit, including any personal information the
                commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system
                of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at
                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 Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of the
                West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington,
                DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
                holidays.
                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ralen Gao, ARM-209, Office of
                Rulemaking, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue
                SW, Washington, DC 20591, telephone (202) 267-3168; email
                [email protected].
                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                A. Comments Invited
                 The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this
                rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. The agency
                also invites comments relating to the economic, environmental, energy,
                or federalism impacts that might result from adopting the proposals in
                this document. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion
                of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and
                include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain
                duplicate comments, commenters should send only one copy of written
                comments, or if comments are filed electronically, commenters should
                submit only one time.
                 The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives, as well
                as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA
                personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this
                proposal, the FAA will consider all comments it receives on or before
                the closing date for comments. The FAA
                [[Page 25208]]
                will consider comments filed after the comment period has closed if it
                is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. The agency may
                change this proposal in light of the comments it receives.
                B. Availability of Rulemaking Documents
                 An electronic copy of rulemaking documents may be obtained from the
                internet by--
                 1. Searching the Federal eRulemaking Portal (http://www.regulations.gov);
                 2. Visiting the FAA's Regulations and Policies web page at http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies or
                 3. Accessing the Government Printing Office's web page at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/.
                 Copies may also be obtained by sending a request to the Federal
                Aviation Administration, Office of Rulemaking, 800 Independence Avenue
                SW, Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267-9680. Commenters must
                identify the docket or notice number of this rulemaking.
                 All documents the FAA considered in developing this proposed rule,
                including economic analyses and technical reports, may be accessed from
                the internet through the Federal eRulemaking Portal referenced in item
                (1) above.
                Background
                 On March 26, 2019, the FAA posted a draft copy of the NPRM entitled
                ``Streamlined Launch and Reentry Licensing Requirements'' on its
                website for public preview. On April 15, 2019, this rule, containing
                minimal changes, was published as Notice No. 19-01 in the Federal
                Register (84 FR 15296). Commenters were instructed to provide comments
                on or before June 14, 2019.
                 Since publication, fifty-six commenters \1\ have requested an
                extension of the comment period to a total of 120 days, or until August
                13, 2019, citing the proposed rule's breadth, significant impact,
                length, and complexity. The commenters stated a longer time frame is
                necessary in order to fully review the proposed rule and develop
                comments and recommendations.
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                 \1\ The commenters are Aerospace Industries Association (AIA),
                Analytical Graphics Inc. (AGI), Aircraft Owners and Pilots
                Association (AOPA), Airlines for America, Airports Council
                International--North America (ACI), Air Line Pilots Association
                (ALPA), American Association of Airline Executives (AAAE), Arete
                STEM Foundation, Arizona State University, Atomos Space, Axiom, Blue
                Origins, Colorado Air and Space Port, Exos Aerospace, Generation
                Orbit, Houston Space Port, Heinlein Prize Trust, Johns Hopkins
                University, InterFlight Global Corporation, Leo Aerospace, Maxar
                Technologies, Midland International Air & Space Port, Misty Harbor
                HOA, MLA Space, Mojave Air & Space Port, Momentus, Moon Express,
                National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), New Mexico
                Spaceport Authority, Purdue School of Aeronautics and Astronautics,
                Quest for Stars, Regional Airline Association (RAA), Sierra Nevada
                Corporation, Spaceport Strategies LLC, SpaceX, Space Angels, Space
                Florida, Spaceport Camden, SpinLaunch, Southwest Research Institute,
                TeamHealth Healthcare Staffing, Techshot, TIP Technologies, Vector
                Launch, Virgin Galactic, Virgin Orbit, World View, Xplore Inc., and
                various members of the public.
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                 The FAA agrees with the petitioners' request for an extension of
                the comment period. It recognizes the content of the proposed rule is
                significant and complex, and that an extension would help commenters
                craft complete and thoughtful responses. Because the rule was posted on
                the FAA's website 20 days prior to its publication in the Federal
                Register, the FAA is extending the comment period an additional 45
                days. With this extension, the comment period will now close on July
                30, 2019. This will provide the public with a total of 125 days to
                conduct its review.
                 The FAA does not anticipate any further extension of the comment
                period for this rulemaking.
                Extension of Comment Period
                 In accordance with Sec. 11.47(c) of Title 14, Code of Federal
                Regulations, the FAA has reviewed the petitions for extension of the
                comment period for this notice. The petitioners have shown a
                substantive interest in the proposed policy and good cause for the
                extension of the comment period. The FAA has determined that an
                extension of the comment period for an additional 45 days to July 30,
                2019, is consistent with the public interest, and that good cause
                exists for taking this action.
                 Accordingly, the comment period for Notice No. 19-01 is extended
                until July 30, 2019.
                 Issued under authority provided by 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 44701(a),
                and 44703 in Washington, DC, on May 24, 2019.
                Lirio Liu,
                Executive Director, Office of Rulemaking.
                [FR Doc. 2019-11286 Filed 5-30-19; 8:45 am]
                BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
                

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