14 C.F.R. Subpart B—Policy Review and Approval for Launch and Reentry of a Reusable Launch Vehicle
Title 14 - Aeronautics and Space
The FAA issues a policy approval to an RLV mission license applicant upon completion of a favorable policy review. A policy approval is part of the licensing record on which the licensing determination is based. (a) The FAA reviews an RLV mission license application to determine whether the proposed mission presents any issues, other than those issues addressed in the safety review, that would adversely affect U.S. national security or foreign policy interests, would jeopardize public health and safety or the safety of property, or would not be consistent with international obligations of the United States. (b) Interagency consultation is conducted as follows: (1) The FAA consults with the Department of Defense to determine whether an RLV mission license application presents any issues adversely affecting U.S. national security. (2) The FAA consults with the Department of State to determine whether an RLV mission license application presents any issues adversely affecting U.S. foreign policy interests or international obligations. (3) The FAA consults with other Federal agencies, including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, authorized to address issues identified under paragraph (a) of this section, associated with an applicant's RLV mission proposal. (c) The FAA advises an applicant, in writing, of any issue raised during a policy review that would impede issuance of a policy approval. The applicant may respond, in writing, or revise its license application. In its RLV mission license application, an applicant must— (a) Identify the model, type, and configuration of any RLV proposed for launch and reentry, or otherwise landing on Earth, by the applicant. (b) Identify all vehicle systems, including structural, thermal, pneumatic, propulsion, electrical, and avionics and guidance systems used in the vehicle(s), and all propellants. (c) Identify foreign ownership of the applicant as follows: (1) For a sole proprietorship or partnership, identify all foreign ownership; (2) For a corporation, identify any foreign ownership interests of 10% or more; and (3) For a joint venture, association, or other entity, identify any participating foreign entities. (d) Identify proposed launch and reentry flight profile(s), including— (1) Launch and reentry site(s), including planned contingency abort locations, if any; (2) Flight trajectories, reentry trajectories, associated ground tracks, and instantaneous impact points for nominal operations, and contingency abort profiles, if any; (3) Sequence of planned events or maneuvers during the mission; and for an orbital mission, the range of intermediate and final orbits of the vehicle and upper stages, if any, and their estimated orbital life times. The FAA notifies an applicant, in writing, if the FAA has denied policy approval for an RLV mission license application. The notice states the reasons for the FAA's determination. The applicant may respond to the reasons for the determination and request reconsideration.
Title 14: Aeronautics and Space
PART 431—LAUNCH AND REENTRY OF A REUSABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE (RLV)
Subpart B—Policy Review and Approval for Launch and Reentry of a Reusable Launch Vehicle
§ 431.21 General.
§ 431.23 Policy review.
§ 431.25 Application requirements for policy review.
§ 431.27 Denial of policy approval.
§§ 431.28-431.30 [Reserved]
