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COMSTAC STOWG. Commercial Spaceport Licensing Review: Survey Results, White Paper Summary, and Recommendations May 10, 2012. White Paper and Survey. October 2011 COMSTAC - STOWG accepted the task to develop a white paper to recommend changes to the regulations 14 CFR Part 420
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COMSTACSTOWG Commercial Spaceport Licensing Review: Survey Results, White Paper Summary, and Recommendations May 10, 2012
White Paper and Survey • October 2011 COMSTAC - STOWG accepted the task to develop a white paper to recommend changes to the regulations 14 CFR Part 420 • STOWG developed an online survey • COMSTAC, Commercial Spaceflight Federation and FastForward Project notified its members of the survey • STOWG received a total of 28 responses COMSTAC STOWG
Surveyed Sections 14 CFR 420 • Environmental Assessment • Explosive Site Plan • Development of a Flight Corridor • Risk Analysis of Flight Corridor • Launch Site Accident Investigation Plan • Handling of Propellants • Lightning Protection COMSTAC STOWG
Results of Survey COMSTAC STOWG
Results of Survey • 8 respondents were identified as “Spaceport/Launch Site Owner”, “Launch Vehicle Manufacture” or “Launch Vehicle Operator” • 20 respondents were “Consultant” or “Other” COMSTAC STOWG
Results of Survey • In general, the survey results indicate a difference in opinion between spaceports/launch vehicle operators and that of consultants and other respondents COMSTAC STOWG
Survey Results: Open Responses COMSTAC STOWG
Findings • Difference in perspective of the relevance of launch site licensing requirements between spaceports and consultants • Spaceports- Express more change needed • Consultants- Express less change needed • The general consensus is that regulations are a better fit for vertical launch orbital launch sites than for horizontal suborbital launch sites • The latter can benefit from modular “right fit” approach • The least relevant requirements were identified as: • Propellant Handling • Lightning Protection COMSTAC STOWG
Recommended Next Steps • Discuss observations with COMSTAC STOWG and seek additional input to this report. • Review potential methods for re-aligning the regulations with the commercial spaceflight industry. COMSTAC STOWG
Recommended Next Steps • Select a recommended approach and submit recommendations to COMSTAC to present to FAA/AST. • Form a STOWG subcommittee to further refine details on the final recommendations, in conjunction with FAA/AST. Report back in October 2012. COMSTAC STOWG
Contacts • Brian Gulliver, PE – RS&H, Spaceport Planning • brian.gulliver@rsandh.com • Oscar S. García – IFG, Chairman • oscargarcia@interflightglobal.com • Debra Facktor Lepore – Chairman, COMSTAC STOWG; DFL Space LLC, President, & Stevens Institute of Technology, Industry Professor • Debra.Lepore@stevens.edu • Jeff Greason – XCOR Aerospace, President • jgreason@xcor.com COMSTAC STOWG