Notice2026-07789
Space Launch and Reentry Licensing and Permitting User Fees
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
April 22, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This document provides notice of the FAA imposing commercial space launch and reentry licensing and permitting user fees, as required under statute.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 77 (Wednesday, April 22, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 77 (Wednesday, April 22, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 21591]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-07789]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Space Launch and Reentry Licensing and Permitting User Fees
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Policy statement.
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SUMMARY: This document provides notice of the FAA imposing commercial
space launch and reentry licensing and permitting user fees, as
required under statute.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James A. Hatt, Manager, Space Policy
Division, Office of Commercial Space Transportation, Federal Aviation
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20591, 202-549-
2325, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c68ca7aba3b5e887e88ea7b2b286a0a7a7e8a1a9b0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d892b9b5bdabf699f690b9acac98beb9b9f6bfb7ae">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Commercial Space Launch Act of 1984, as amended and codified at
51 U.S.C. 50901 through 50924 (``Act''), authorizes the Secretary of
Transportation, and the Administrator of the FAA through delegation,\1\
to oversee, license, and regulate commercial launch and reentry
activities, and the operation of launch and reentry sites as carried
out by United States citizens or within the United States. The Act's
requirements are implemented in parts 400 through 460 of title 14 of
the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR).
On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill
Act (Pub. L. 119-21) establishing a fee beginning in 2026 for each
launch or reentry carried out under a license or permit issued under
section 50904 (51 U.S.C. 50924, as established by section 4004 of Pub.
L. 119-21, title IV, Sec. 40004(a), 139 Stat. 132 (July 4, 2025)).
Section 50924 further directs the Secretary of Transportation to
collect and deposit the fees in a newly established ``Office of
Commercial Space Transportation Launch and Reentry Licensing and
Permitting Fund'' located in the Treasury of the United States. The
user fee is to be assessed in an amount equal to the lesser of two
amounts prescribed by two fee schedules. Both fee schedules set forth
specific rates for each calendar year. One fee schedule establishes the
rate that is to be assessed for each pound of the weight of the
payload, while the other one provides a maximum user fee.
For the purpose of collecting the user fees required by 51 U.S.C.
50924, FAA will begin including terms and conditions that outline the
fee assessment and collection procedures as set forth by 51 U.S.C.
50924 in experimental permits and vehicle operator licenses subject to
those fees. Regardless of whether the permit or license contains those
terms and conditions, operators are still liable for user fees under 51
U.S.C. 50924 for all launches and reentries conducted in 2026 under a
license or and permit issued under section 50904.
II. Fee Assessment and Payment Process Under 51 U.S.C. 50924
51 U.S.C. 50924 requires FAA to assess the user fees based on the
weight of the payload on each launch or reentry carried out under a
license or permit issued pursuant to 51 U.S.C. 50904 during 2026 or a
subsequent year. For each launch or reentry, vehicle operators are
currently required to provide FAA with the weight of the payload at
least 60 days prior to each mission.\2\ FAA will use the payload weight
provided by vehicle operators as part of their pre-flight reporting
submission to calculate the user fee owed for the launch or reentry and
will issue a fee notification to the vehicle operator reflecting the
amount due. As reflected in the terms and conditions that FAA will
incorporate into all new licenses and permits, vehicle operators will
then have thirty (30) days from the date of the issuance of the fee
notification in order to submit payment for the user fee in accordance
with the instructions provided in the fee notification. This includes
notifications for fees accrued since January 1, 2026, which FAA intends
to issue later in 2026.
Endnotes
\1\ See 49 CFR 1.83(b).
\2\ See, e.g., 14 CFR 450.43(i) and .213(b)(1).
Issued in Washington, DC.
Minh A. Nguyen,
Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Commercial Space
Transportation.
[FR Doc. 2026-07789 Filed 4-21-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.