Proposed Rule2026-20387
Digital Modernization for Licensing Electronic Application Submissions
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
October 5, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
FAA proposes to amend its commercial space launch and reentry licensing regulations to allow for submission of license and permit applications and requests for waivers, alternative time frames, and safety element approvals through additional electronic methods.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 191 (Monday, October 5, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 191 (Monday, October 5, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63180-63185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-20387]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Parts 401, 404, 413, and 414
[Docket No.: FAA-2026-9935; Notice No. 26-25]
RIN 2120-AM39
Digital Modernization for Licensing Electronic Application
Submissions
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: FAA proposes to amend its commercial space launch and reentry
licensing regulations to allow for submission of license and permit
applications and requests for waivers, alternative time frames, and
safety element approvals through additional electronic methods.
DATES: Send comments on or before November 4, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2026-9935
using any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> and
follow the online instructions for sending your comments
electronically.
<bullet> Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations; U.S. Department
of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, 5th
Floor (W58-213), Washington, DC 20590-0001.
<bullet> Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket
Operations in Room W58-213 of the West Building, 5th Floor at 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
<bullet> 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 inform its rulemaking process better. DOT posts
these comments, without edit, including any personal information the
commenter provides, to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>, as described in the system
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at
<a href="http://www.dot.gov/privacy">www.dot.gov/privacy</a>.
Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> at any time. Follow the online instructions for
accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W58-213 of
the West Building 5th Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington,
DC 20590 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa E. Cacciatore, Office of
Commercial Space Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590; telephone (202) 880-1489;
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a7ebced4c689e289e4c6c4c4cec6d3c8d5c2e7c1c6c689c0c8d1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f4b89d8795dab1dab79597979d95809b8691b4929595da939b82">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Overview
In accordance with the policy of streamlining commercial license
and permit approvals set out in Executive Order (E.O.) 14335,
``Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry,'' FAA proposes
to amend its commercial space launch and reentry regulations to allow
for submission of license and permit applications and waiver,
alternative time frame, and safety element approval requests through
electronic means approved by the FAA Administrator. This change would
allow applicants to use FAA's new Licensing Electronic Application
Portal (LEAP) without having to apply for a waiver. LEAP would increase
the efficiency of processing of commercial space license applications
and provide industry with greater transparency on the status of their
applications. In addition, FAA proposes to remove the option for
applicants to submit license and permit applications, waiver requests,
alternative time frame requests, and safety element approval requests
via paper application. FAA would continue to allow email and physical
electronic storage for application submissions.
II. Authority for This Rulemaking
The Commercial Space Launch Act of 1984, as amended and codified at
51 U.S.C. 50901-50924, authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to
oversee, license, and regulate commercial launch and reentry
activities, and the operation of launch and reentry sites within the
United States (U.S.) or as carried out by U.S. citizens. Section 50905
directs the Secretary to exercise this responsibility consistent with
public health and safety, safety of property, and the national security
and foreign policy interests of the United States. In addition, section
50903 requires the Secretary to encourage, facilitate, and promote
commercial space launches and reentries by the private sector. As
codified in 49 CFR 1.83(b), the Secretary has delegated authority to
the FAA Administrator to carry out these functions.
[[Page 63181]]
III. Background
On August 13, 2025, the President issued E.O. 14335, ``Enabling
Competition in the Commercial Space Industry,'' which articulated the
goal of ``[enhancing] American greatness in space by enabling a
competitive launch marketplace and substantially increasing commercial
space launch cadence and novel space activities by 2030.'' The E.O.
further stated that ``[t]o accomplish this, the Federal Government will
streamline commercial license and permit approvals for United States-
based operators.'' This proposed rule is being published in furtherance
of this policy.
In accordance with its statutory authority, FAA currently issues
licenses for the launch of a launch vehicle, the operation of a launch
site, the reentry of a reentry vehicle, and the operation of a reentry
site. FAA also issues experimental permits that allow a person to
launch or reenter a reusable suborbital vehicle. Regulations governing
the issuance of these licenses and permits are located in 14 CFR
chapter III. The procedures for submitting applications for these
licenses and permits are located in part 413.
FAA is currently developing the LEAP platform through which
applicants can submit applications electronically. However, current
Sec. 413.7(a) provides that an application may only be submitted by
paper in duplicate, via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b2f3e1e6f3c2c2dedbd1d3c6dbdddcc1f2d4d3d39cd5ddc4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6c2d3f382d1c1c00050f0d180503021f2c0a0d0d420b031a">[email protected]</span></a>, or by
providing the application to FAA on a physical electronic storage
device, such as a USB flash drive or external hard drive. This
restriction would prevent applicants from submitting applications via
LEAP, when it is finalized, without first obtaining a waiver from FAA.
IV. Discussion of the Proposal
The proposed rule would add ``other electronic method approved by
the Administrator'' as a submission option in Sec. 413.7(a) to allow
FAA to accept applications via electronic methods not contemplated by
the current regulation. FAA anticipates that the change would help
streamline the licensing process by allowing for application submission
using the most current electronic methods. Furthermore, the proposed
change is necessary to allow applicants to submit applications via
LEAP, once it is finalized, without having to apply for a waiver.
In addition, the proposed rule amends Sec. 413.7(a) to remove the
option for applicants to submit license and permit applications by
paper. License and permit applications are typically reviewed by FAA
teams. Each member of the FAA team has access to all of the application
documents in a shared electronic location, thereby allowing FAA team
members to view the documents simultaneously. Applications submitted by
paper do not allow for this flexibility and are therefore more
cumbersome and time-intensive to review than electronic submissions.
Furthermore, no licensed operator has submitted a paper application to
FAA during the last two decades. Likewise, FAA does not anticipate that
any future applicants will seek to apply for a license or permit by
paper. Therefore, FAA anticipates that removing the option would have
little impact on applicants but could potentially save time and
resources for FAA in the unlikely event that an applicant is
considering submitting a paper application.
The proposed rule would also make changes to parts 404 and 414 to
align the methods by which applicants may submit waiver requests,
alternative time frame requests, and safety element approval requests
with the methods set out in Sec. 413.7(a). Under current Sec.
404.3(c), a person filing a request for a waiver may submit the request
by paper copy or email. Likewise, under current Sec. 404.15(b), a
person filing a request proposing an alternative time frame for certain
14 CFR chapter III requirements may submit the request by paper or
email. Finally, under current Sec. 414.13(a), a person filing a safety
element approval request separate from an application for a license
must submit the request by paper copy, email, or physical electronic
storage. The proposed rule would amend those sections to allow for
submission of waiver, alternative timeframe, and safety element
approval requests in the same manner as license applications: email,
physical electronic storage, or other electronic method approved by the
Administrator. FAA anticipates that, in addition to efficiencies gained
by allowing electronic submissions via LEAP and other methods approved
by the Administrator, the standardization of submission procedures
across license and permit applications, safety element approval
applications, requests for alternative time frames, and petitions for
waivers would ease the burden on applicants by streamlining acceptable
procedures for each different application or petition.
FAA emphasizes that the proposed change would not make any specific
electronic submission of applications mandatory. Thus, applicants who
wish to submit their applications via email or physical electronic
storage would be able to continue doing so under this proposed rule.
That being said, FAA is also considering whether to remove the
option for email and physical electronic storage submissions
altogether. Under this alternative, Sec. 413.7 would be amended to
require all license and permit applications to be submitted via an
electronic method approved by the Administrator. Likewise, all waiver
requests, alternative time frame requests, and safety element approval
requests would also need to be submitted via an electronic method
approved by the Administrator. FAA is considering this alternative
because mandating standardized electronic methods would ensure a
consistent submission experience for all applicants, enabling FAA to
automate internal processes and further improve efficiency. FAA seeks
public comment on all aspects of this alternative--including potential
operational impacts, costs, or benefits--and whether it should be
incorporated into the final rule.
Finally, FAA proposes to make conforming changes to Sec. Sec.
401.1, 404.3(c)(2), and 413.7(a) to update the address of the Office of
Commercial Space Transportation to 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20590.
V. Regulatory Notices and Analyses
A. Regulatory Impact Analysis
E.O. 12866 (``Regulatory Planning and Review'') and E.O. 13563
(``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review'') require agencies to
regulate in the ``most cost-effective manner,'' to make a ``reasoned
determination that the benefits of the intended regulation justify its
costs,'' and to develop regulations that ``impose the least burden on
society.'' The Office of Management and Budget has determined this
proposed rule is not a significant regulatory action as defined in
Section 3(f) of E.O. 12866. FAA is seeking comments on the following
analysis.
Currently, FAA allows license and permit applications, waiver
requests, safety element approval requests, and requests for
alternative time frames to be submitted by paper, by use of physical
electronic storage, or by email. This proposed rule would remove the
option to submit by paper and would provide another option: submission
of license and permit applications, waiver requests, safety element
approval requests, and requests for alternative time frames via another
electronic
[[Page 63182]]
method approved by the FAA Administrator. FAA is currently in the
process of creating an online platform, LEAP, through which individuals
would be able to submit materials to the Office of Commercial Space
Transportation. The proposed rule is necessary to allow materials to be
submitted via LEAP. The proposed rule does not require FAA development
of LEAP, which FAA would develop with or without this rule. Therefore,
FAA considers the development cost of the LEAP platform as part of the
baseline for this analysis, or, as OMB Circular A-4 explains, what the
world would be like if the rule is not adopted.
Most license applications are received via email attachments, which
would be time-consuming for FAA to upload manually to an electronic
storage location. By providing submittal through another electronic
method allowed by this proposed rule would save FAA an estimated 10
minutes per attachment in an email. The average number of files
submitted in support of a part 450 application per month is
approximately 150. An administrative specialist under the FAA Core
Compensation Plan does this labor. The specialist is at a H band \1\
with a base hourly rate of $41.41. FAA uses a factor of 1.3625 for
benefits,\2\ which results in the total loaded hourly wage of $56.42.
The undiscounted cost savings per year \3\ is $16,927 and over the 10-
year period of analysis is $169,266. At a seven percent discount rate,
the cost savings totals $118,885 and at a three percent rate it is
$144,387. The cost savings estimate is shown in Table 1.
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\1\ FAA Pay Band H with Washington DC locality; effective Jan.
2026, minimum salary $86,134, available at: <a href="http://www.faa.gov/jobs/working_here/benefits/pay/core_salary_with_conversion.xlsx">www.faa.gov/jobs/working_here/benefits/pay/core_salary_with_conversion.xlsx</a>.
\2\ Update to Civilian Position Full Fringe Benefit Cost Factor,
Federal Pay Raise Assumptions, and Inflation Factors used in OMB
Circular No. A-76, ``Performance of Commercial Activities,'' Office
of Management and Budget, March 11, 2008, available at:
<a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/legacy_drupal_files/omb/memoranda/2008/m08-13.pdf">www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/legacy_drupal_files/omb/memoranda/2008/m08-13.pdf</a>.
\3\ The per year cost estimate is calculated by multiplying the
total applications per year (150 x 12 = 1,800), the time per
applications (10 minutes which is 10/60 = 0.167 of an hour), and the
wages with benefits of $56.42).
Table 1--Part 450 Applications Processing Cost Savings
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Cost savings
Year (undiscounted) 7% PV 3% PV
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1...................................................... $16,927 $15,819.23 $16,433.57
2...................................................... 16,927 14,784.32 15,954.92
3...................................................... 16,927 13,817.13 15,490.21
4...................................................... 16,927 12,913.20 15,039.04
5...................................................... 16,927 12,068.41 14,601.01
6...................................................... 16,927 11,278.89 14,175.74
7...................................................... 16,927 10,541.02 13,762.85
8...................................................... 16,927 9,851.42 13,361.99
9...................................................... 16,927 9,206.93 12,972.81
10..................................................... 16,927 8,604.61 12,594.96
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Total.............................................. 169,266 118,885 144,387
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In addition, if the proposed rule is not finalized, FAA would
continue to use LEAP or other follow-on electronic methods to process
applications, but the applicant would need to obtain a waiver to use
LEAP or any new electronic system to transmit their application.
Therefore, the cost savings would come from the applicant not having to
petition FAA for a waiver to use a system like LEAP to submit an
application. Since no such waivers have been submitted, FAA cannot
estimate the cost savings.
Furthermore, though no licensed operator has submitted a paper
application to FAA during the last two decades and FAA does not expect
any in the future, removing the option to submit by paper may result in
minimal cost savings because submitting applications by paper is more
costly for FAA to review than submittal by email, physical electronic
storage, or other electronic means.
Therefore, this proposed rule would provide cost savings to
industry and FAA by streamlining the application, waiver request, and
safety element approval request processes.
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601-612),
agencies must prepare and make available for public comment a
regulatory flexibility analysis that describes the effect of the
rulemaking on small entities (i.e., small businesses, small
organizations, and small government jurisdictions). No regulatory
flexibility analysis is required, however, if the head of an agency
certifies that the proposed rule would not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities. FAA has concluded and
hereby certifies that this proposed rule would not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities; therefore,
an analysis is not included.
C. International Trade Impact Assessment
The Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96-39), as amended by the
Uruguay Round Agreements Act (Pub. L. 103-465), prohibits Federal
agencies from establishing standards or engaging in related activities
that create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United
States. Pursuant to these Acts, the establishment of standards is not
considered an unnecessary obstacle to the foreign commerce of the
United States, so long as the standard has a legitimate domestic
objective, such as the protection of safety, and does not operate in a
manner that excludes imports that meet this objective. The statute also
requires consideration of international standards and, where
appropriate, they be the basis for U.S. standards.
FAA has assessed the potential effect of this proposed rule and
determined that it would not create unnecessary obstacles to the
foreign commerce of the United States.
D. Unfunded Mandates Assessment
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538)
governs the issuance of Federal regulations that require unfunded
mandates. An unfunded mandate is a regulation that requires a State,
local, or Tribal government or the private sector to incur direct costs
without the Federal Government having first provided the
[[Page 63183]]
funds to pay those costs. FAA determined the proposed rule would not
result in the expenditure of $193,000,000 or more ($100,000,000
adjusted for inflation using the most current Implicit Price Deflator
for the Gross Domestic Product) by State, local, or Tribal governments,
in the aggregate, or the private sector, in any one year.
E. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)) requires
FAA consider the impact of paperwork and other information collection
burdens imposed on the public. FAA has determined there would be no new
requirement for information collection associated with this proposed
rule.
F. International Compatibility
In keeping with U.S. obligations under the Convention on
International Civil Aviation, it is FAA policy to conform to
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and
Recommended Practices to the maximum extent practicable. FAA has
determined there are no ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices that
correspond to these proposed regulations.
G. Environmental Analysis
The Department has analyzed the environmental impacts of this
notice of proposed rulemaking pursuant to the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.). FAA has determined
this proposed rule is categorically excluded pursuant to FAA Order
1050.1G. Categorical exclusions are categories of actions FAA has
determined normally do not significantly affect the quality of the
human environment and therefore do not require either an environmental
assessment (EA) or environmental impact statement (EIS). In analyzing
the applicability of a categorical exclusion, FAA must also consider
whether extraordinary circumstances are present that would warrant the
preparation of an EA or EIS. This rulemaking, which would allow for
submission of license and permit applications and requests for waivers,
alternative time frames, and safety element approvals through
additional electronic methods, is categorically excluded pursuant to
FAA Order 1050.1G, Appendix B, Paragraph B-2.6(f), which categorically
excludes issuance of regulatory documents. FAA does not anticipate any
environmental impacts, and there are no extraordinary circumstances
present in connection with this rulemaking.
VI. E.O. Determinations
A. E.O. 13132, Federalism
FAA has analyzed this proposed rule under the principles and
criteria of E.O. 13132, Federalism. FAA has determined this action
would not have a substantial direct effect on the States, or the
relationship between the Federal Government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of
government, and, therefore, would not have federalism implications.
B. E.O. 13175, Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal
Governments
Consistent with E.O. 13175, Consultation and Coordination with
Indian Tribal Governments,\4\ and FAA Order 1210.20, American Indian
and Alaska Native Tribal Consultation Policy and Procedures,\5\ FAA
ensures Federally Recognized Tribes (Tribes) are given the opportunity
to provide meaningful and timely input regarding proposed Federal
actions that have the potential to affect uniquely or significantly
their respective Tribes. At this point, FAA has not identified any
unique or significant effects, environmental or otherwise, on Tribes
resulting from this proposed rule.
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\4\ 65 FR 67249 (November 6, 2000).
\5\ FAA Order No. 1210.20 (January 28, 2004), available at
<a href="http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/1210.pdf">www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/1210.pdf</a>.
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C. E.O. 13211, Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use
FAA analyzed this proposed rule under E.O. 13211, Actions
Concerning Regulations that Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use (May 18, 2001). FAA has determined it would not be
a ``significant energy action'' under the E.O. and would not be likely
to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or
use of energy.
D. E.O. 13609, Promoting International Regulatory Cooperation
E.O. 13609, Promoting International Regulatory Cooperation,
promotes international regulatory cooperation to (1) meet shared
challenges involving health, safety, labor, security, environmental,
and other issues and to reduce, eliminate, or (2) prevent unnecessary
differences in regulatory requirements. FAA has analyzed this action
under the policies and agency responsibilities of E.O. 13609 and has
determined this action would have no effect on international regulatory
cooperation.
E. E.O. 14192, Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation
This proposed rule, if finalized as proposed, is expected to be an
E.O. 14192 deregulatory action.
VII. Additional Information
A. Comments Invited
FAA invites interested persons to participate in this rulemaking by
submitting written comments, data, or views. FAA also invites comments
relating to the economic, environmental, 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 submit only one time if comments are filed electronically, or
commenters should send only one copy of written comments if comments
are filed in writing.
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 rule. Before acting on this proposal, FAA will
consider all comments it receives on or before the closing date for
comments. FAA will consider comments filed after the comment period has
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay.
FAA may change this proposal in light of the comments it receives.
B. Confidential Business Information
Confidential Business Information (CBI) is commercial or financial
information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by
its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552),
CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to
this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is
customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and
is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important you clearly
designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your
submission containing CBI as ``PROPIN.'' FAA will treat such marked
submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed
in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be
sent to the person in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of
this document. Any commentary FAA receives that is not specifically
[[Page 63184]]
designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this
rulemaking.
C. Electronic Access and Filing
A copy of this NPRM, all comments received, any final rule, and all
background material may be viewed online at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> using
the docket number listed above. Electronic retrieval help and
guidelines are available on the website. It is available 24 hours each
day, 365 days each year. An electronic copy of this document may also
be downloaded from the Office of the Federal Register's website at
<a href="http://www.federalregister.gov">www.federalregister.gov</a> and the Government Publishing Office's website
at <a href="http://www.govinfo.gov">www.govinfo.gov</a>. A copy may also be found at FAA's Regulations and
Policies website at <a href="http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies">www.faa.gov/regulations_policies</a>.
Copies may also be obtained by sending a request to the Federal
Aviation Administration, Office of Rulemaking, ARM-1, 800 Independence
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267-9677.
Requesters must identify the docket or notice number of this
rulemaking.
All documents FAA considered in developing this proposed rule,
including economic analyses and technical reports, may be accessed in
the electronic docket for this rulemaking.
D. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996
(Pub. L. 104-121, 110 Stat. 857, Mar. 29, 1996) requires FAA to comply
with small entity requests for information or advice about compliance
with statutes and regulations within its jurisdiction. A small entity
with questions regarding this document may contact its local FAA
official or the person listed under the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
heading at the beginning of the preamble. To find out more about SBREFA
on the internet, visit <a href="http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/sbre_act/">www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/sbre_act/</a>.
List of Subjects
14 CFR Part 401
Organization and functions (Government agencies), Space
transportation and exploration.
14 CFR Part 404
Administrative practice and procedure, Space transportation and
exploration.
14 CFR Part 413
Confidential business information, Space transportation and
exploration.
14 CFR Part 414
Airspace, Aviation safety, Space transportation and exploration.
The Proposed Amendments
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Federal Aviation
Administration proposes to amend chapter III of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations, as follows:
PART 401--ORGANIZATIONS AND DEFINITIONS
0
1. The authority citation for part 401 is revised to read as follows:
Authority: 51 U.S.C. Chapter 509.
0
2. Revise Sec. 401.1 to read as follows:
Sec. 401.1 The Office of Commercial Space Transportation.
The Office of Commercial Space Transportation, referred to in these
regulations as the ``Office,'' is a line of business within the Federal
Aviation Administration and is located at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20590.
PART 404--PETITION AND RULEMAKING PROCEDURES
0
3. The authority citation for part 404 is revised to read as follows:
Authority: 51 U.S.C. Chapter 509.
0
4. Revise Sec. 404.3 to read as follows:
Sec. 404.3 General
(a) Any person may petition the Associate Administrator to:
(1) Issue, amend, or repeal a regulation to eliminate as a
requirement for a license or permit any requirement of Federal law
applicable to commercial space launch and reentry activities and the
operation of launch and reentry sites;
(2) Waive any such requirement in the context of a specific
application for a license or permit; or
(3) Waive the requirement for a license, except as provided in
Sec. 404.7(b).
(b) A petition filed under this section may request, under Sec.
413.9 of this chapter, that the Associate Administrator withhold
certain trade secrets or proprietary commercial or financial data from
public disclosure.
(c) Any person filing a petition for rulemaking under this section
must:
(1) For electronic submission, send one copy of the petition by
email to the Office of Commercial Space Transportation at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#94d5c7c0e4f1e0fde0fdfbfad4f2f5f5baf3fbe2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a6e7f5f2d6c3d2cfd2cfc9c8e6c0c7c788c1c9d0">[email protected]</span></a>; or
(2) For paper submission, send one copy of the petition to the
Office of Commercial Space Transportation, Federal Aviation
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
(d) Any person filing a petition for a waiver must file the
petition with the Federal Aviation Administration using one of the
methods specified in Sec. 413.7(a) of this chapter for filing an
application for a license.
(e) Each petition filed under this section must include the
petitioner's name, mailing address, telephone number and any other
contact information, such as an email address or a fax number.
(f) Notification. When the Associate Administrator determines that
a petition should be granted or denied, the Associate Administrator
notifies the petitioner of the Associate Administrator's action and the
reasons supporting the action.
(g) Reconsideration. Any person may petition the FAA to reconsider
a denial of a petition the person filed. The petitioner must send a
request for reconsideration within 60 days after being notified of the
denial using one of the corresponding methods specified in paragraphs
(c) or (d) for filing a petition for rulemaking or waiver. For the FAA
to accept the reconsideration request, the petitioner must show--
(1) There is a significant additional fact and the reason it was
not included in the original petition;
(2) The FAA made an important factual error in its denial of the
original petition; or
(3) The denial is not in accordance with the applicable law and
regulations.
(h) Public hearing. No public hearing, argument or other proceeding
is held on a petition before its disposition under this section.
0
5. Revise Sec. 404.15(b) to read as follows:
Sec. 404.15 Alternative Time Frames
* * * * *
(b) Request to change a time frame. An applicant, a licensee, a
permittee, or a safety element approval holder may file a written
request to the FAA to propose an alternative time frame to any of the
time frames included in the chapter III sections listed in Appendix A
to part 404. The request must be submitted using one of the methods
specified in Sec. 413.7(a) of this chapter for filing an application
for a license.
* * * * *
PART 413--LICENSE APPLICATION PROCEDURES
0
6. The authority citation for part 413 is revised to read as follows:
Authority: 51 U.S.C. Chapter 509.
[[Page 63185]]
0
7. Amend Sec. 413.7(a) by:
0
a. Revising the introductory text in paragraph (a);
0
b. Removing paragraph (a)(1);
0
c. Redesignating paragraph (a)(2) and (a)(3) as paragraphs (a)(1) and
(a)(2), respectively;
0
d. Revising the introductory text to redesignated paragraph (a)(1); and
0
e. Adding paragraph (a)(3).
The revisions and addition read as follows:
Sec. 413.7 Application submission.
(a) An applicant must make an application in writing and in
English. The applicant must file the application with the Federal
Aviation Administration either by use of physical electronic storage,
by email, or by other electronic method approved by the Administrator
in the following manner:
(1) For an application submitted by use of physical electronic
storage, the applicant must either mail the application to the Federal
Aviation Administration, Associate Administrator for Commercial Space
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590 or
hand-deliver the application to an authorized FAA representative. The
application and the physical electronic storage containing the
application must also satisfy all of the following criteria:
* * * * *
(3) For applications submitted by other electronic method, an
applicant must submit its application in a form and manner acceptable
to the Administrator.
* * * * *
PART 414--SAFETY ELEMENT APPROVALS
0
8. The authority citation for part 414 is revised to read as follows:
Authority: 51 U.S.C. Chapter 509.
0
9. Revise Sec. 414.13(a) to read as follows:
Sec. 414.13 Application separate from a vehicle operator license
application.
(a) An applicant must make an application in writing and in
English. The applicant must file the application with the Federal
Aviation Administration using one of the methods specified in Sec.
413.7(a) of this chapter for filing an application for a license.
* * * * *
Issued under authority provided by 49 U.S.C. 106(f) and 51
U.S.C. chapter 509 in Washington, DC.
Minh A. Nguyen,
Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Commercial Space
Transportation.
[FR Doc. 2026-20387 Filed 10-2-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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