In 2020, The FAA Licensed 41 Commercial Space Operations

The FAA is crowing about a record number of launches, new streamlined launch and reentry licensing regulations, and a historic licensed crewed mission are some of the noteworthy commercial space transportation achievements of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2020. The FAA will 'build on these accomplishments in the coming year.' “This record-setting year in launches, and the new streamlined launch and reentry licensing regulations, bode well for continued rapid growth of America’s commercial space sector,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

Delivered Nearly 8,000 Pounds Of Supplies

Northrop Grumman’s uncrewed Cygnus spacecraft is scheduled to depart the International Space Station on Wednesday, Jan. 6, more than three months after delivering nearly 8,000 pounds of supplies, scientific investigations, commercial products, hardware, and other cargo to the orbiting outpost. NASA Video coverage of the cargo spacecraft’s departure will begin at 0945 EST, with release of Cygnus scheduled for 10:10 a.m. Flight controllers on the ground will send commands to robotically detach Cygnus from the Unity module’s Earth-facing port, maneuver it into place, and release it from the Canadarm2 robotic arm. NASA astronaut Kate Rubins will monitor Cygnus’ systems upon its departur