GAO Report Shows The FAA Faces 'Multiple Challenges' In Addressing Commercial Space Industry Developments

A report released this week by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) says the FAA faces "multiple challenges in addressing developments in the commercial space industry. The report, requested by House Science Committee chair Lamar Smith (R-TX), also underscores the need for extending the crucial “learning period” beyond September 2015. The SPACE Act would extend the learning period for 10 years while introducing additional accountability and transparency measures.

Among its findings, the report revealed a mismatch of expectations for the office and realized workload, a lack of justification for increased funding and authority, an absence of important additional workload metrics for Congress to use to evaluate changes to the FAA’s needs, and the need to update the risk methodology that informs launch indemnification.

“The FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation is important for our nation’s space industry," Smith (pictured) said in a statement following the report's release. "As the commercial space sector grows, FAA AST should exercise all of its existing authorities and maximize its current resources. GAO’s report highlights ways that can be done, such as utilizing overtime and facilitating the development of industry standards to respond to increased workloads.  The Committee will continue to work with the FAA to ensure it has the resources it needs to ensure a healthy and safe domestic commercial space sector.  An important step in this direction is the passage of H.R. 2262, the Spurring Private Aerospace Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship Act of 2015, or SPACE Act.” 

The report recommends that the FAA provide Congress with more information about the resources requested to address developments in the commercial space launch industry, in justifying requested changes, the Secretary of Transportation should direct the FAA Administrator to provide more detailed information in its budget submissions for the Office of Commercial Space Transportation regarding its workload.

FMI: GAO Report