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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 9, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 1917]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-00279]

[[Page 1917]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee--Public 
Teleconference

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee 
Teleconference.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, notice is 
hereby given of a teleconference of the Business/Legal Working Group 
(BLWG) of the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee 
(COMSTAC).

DATES: The teleconference will take place on Friday, January 25, 2013, 
from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. U.S. Eastern Standard Time.

ADDRESSES: The teleconference call-in number and passcode will be 
posted by approximately one week prior to the teleconference date at 
the following Web site link: http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/advisory_committee/. Individuals who 
participate in the teleconference should contact Paul Eckert, 
Designated Federal Officer (DFO), by email approximately 15 minutes 
before the call begins, using the email address provided in the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Eckert, Office of Commercial 
Space Transportation (AST), 800 Independence Avenue SW., Room 331, 
Washington, DC 20591, telephone (202) 267-8055; Email 
paul.eckert@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this call is to discuss how 
to respond to a request to COMSTAC by the FAA Office of Commercial 
Space Transportation (FAA/AST), regarding how best to conduct a review 
of the Office's methodology for calculation of Maximum Probable Loss 
(MPL). The FAA/AST request to COMSTAC took place following a 2012 
Government Accountability Office (GAO) report titled ``Commercial Space 
Launches--FAA Should Update How It Assesses Federal Liability Risk.'' 
This report included a recommendation calling for FAA/AST to carry out 
periodic reviews of its MPL methodology. GAO further stated that FAA/
AST should consider using external experts in the course of an MPL 
review.
    The MPL represents an estimate of the maximum probable cost of 
damage to life and property, in the event of a launch mishap. MPL 
calculation has considerable significance, because the figure is used 
to determine the financial responsibility requirements of each launch 
license or experimental permit holder. While AST believes its current 
MPL methodology has been effective, GAO's recommendation to conduct a 
review of the methodology is prudent given the growth of the commercial 
space transportation industry and the amount of time that has passed 
since MPL modification.
    In addition to or in lieu of teleconference participation, 
interested members of the public may submit relevant written statements 
for COMSTAC to consider, in compliance with advisory committee 
procedures. Statements may address the issues mentioned above or 
additional issues that may be relevant for the U.S. commercial space 
transportation industry. Interested parties wishing to submit written 
statements regarding the January 25, 2013 teleconference should contact 
Paul Eckert, DFO (the Contact Person listed below) in writing (i.e., by 
mail or email) by January 18, 2013. Written statements should be 
supplied in the following formats: one hard copy with original 
signature or one electronic copy via email.
    Individuals who plan to participate and need special assistance 
should inform the Contact Person listed below in advance of the 
meeting.
    Complete information regarding COMSTAC is available on the FAA Web 
site at: http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/advisory_committee/.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 2, 2013.
 George C. Nield,
Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation.
[FR Doc. 2013-00279 Filed 1-8-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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