Press Releases

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO) and Subcommittee on Aviation Ranking Member Garret Graves (R-LA) applauded the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its release of final regulations that will streamline the launch and reentry licensing process for commercial space transportation.

Space Policy Directive 2, signed by the President in May 2018, directed the FAA to modernize and streamline commercial space transportation launch and reentry regulations, which fall under the authority of the Department of Transportation and FAA.  The FAA released its notice of proposed rulemaking for Streamlined Launch and Reentry Licensing Requirements (SLR2) in April 2019.

“Today marks a significant milestone for our Nation’s commercial space transportation industry and the FAA,” said Rep. Sam Graves.  “The final regulations issued today will further strengthen our commercial launch sector and help ensure that the United States remains the unquestioned leader in aerospace.  While critics questioned whether the FAA was capable of rewriting decades-old, prescriptive regulations in such a short amount of time, the agency was clearly up to the task.  The new regulations and performance-based criteria will unleash innovation while ensuring public safety.  I commend the FAA, Secretary Chao, and Administrator Dickson for their strong leadership in meeting the President’s directive.”

“Just as the Administration has done for Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Urban Air Mobility, today’s announcement builds upon the FAA’s consistent record of rolling back burdensome regulations to ready our aerospace systems for a new generation of aviation technologies,” said Rep. Garret Graves.  “This rule will further integrate the commercial space sector into the traditional National Airspace System while both maintaining safety and encouraging growth and opportunity for our private sector partners.”