FAA Says Number Could Double By FY2028

The FAA released a report on November 14, 2024, showing that the number of commercial space operations in fiscal year (FY) 2024 were 30% higher than the previous fiscal year, setting a new record.

The agency also said that number could more than double by 2028. Over the past ten years, the number of FAA-licensed commercial space flights has increased over 900%, from 14 in 2015 to 148 in 2024.

In FY 2024 the FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation carried out 49 licensing actions. These included granting two new licenses, renewing 10, and modifying another 37. The office also conducted 23 environmental reviews and performed 910 inspections.

The FAA has issued seven Part 450 licenses to companies that include Astra Space, ABL Space, Inversion Space, Relativity Space, SpaceX, Stratolaunch, and Varda Space. Part 450 licenses regulate commercial spaceflight operations, specifically launch and reentry activities.

The agency has signaled its intention to launch an Aerospace Rulemaking Committee composed of members from the commercial space industry and academia. The committee will focus on nine areas including flight safety analyses, systems safety, and means of compliance. The goal of the committee is to update the rule for Part 450 licensing, to “streamline the regulations, reduce the number of times an operator would need a license approval, and decrease the need for the FAA to process waivers.”

Kelvin B. Coleman, FAA Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation explained, “The FAA is seeking to update the licensing rule to foster more clarity, flexibility, efficiency, and innovation. Making timely licensing determinations without compromising public safety is a top priority.”  

FMI:  www.faa.gov/