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                        Commercial Space Transportation Licenses


            
            In This Section
        Commercial Space Homepage
                Licenses, Permits & Approvals
                                Licenses, Permits & Approvals
                Getting Started with Licensing
                Vehicle Operators License
                Experimental Permits
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                Getting Started with Licensing


Commercial Space Transportation Assistance Tool

Need help figuring out which kind of license you need? Let us help! Select an option below.
      
            Step 0
    I am looking to:
                    
- select one -Vehicle OperationsSite OperationsOther Approvals or ReviewsStep 1
    Will your vehicle be Orbital?Will Site Operator offer its site to only amateur rockets?Are there humans on board your vehicle?Yes



                
  NoStep 2
    **Yes**.
Vehicle Operator License, Part 450.**No**.
Will your suborbital vehicle meet ALL of the following?
No Humans onboard
	150 KM altitude or less
	200,000 lbs‐‐second total impulse or less**Yes**.
No license required**No**.
Will Site Operator offer its site to other vehicle operators?**Yes**.Human Space Flight Requirements, Part 460.**No**.
Are you a license applicant looking to apply for a policy approval in advance of submitting a license application?Yes



                
  NoYes



                
  NoYes



                
  NoStep 3
    **Yes**.Amateur Rocket Part 101.**No**.
Will your suborbital vehicle meet ANY of the following?
Expendable
	Carrying humans or payloads for compensation or hire**Yes**.
Will the Site Operator only support launch vehicle operations?No.
Exclusive Use Site: a Launch Site (Spaceport) license is not required. A launch vehicle license with additional safety considerations is required. Please restart the assistance tool and choose "Vehicle Operations" to determine the appropriate authorization.**Yes**.Policy Approval.**No**.
Are you looking to get an approval to show compliance with a specific regulation?Yes



                
  NoYes



                
  NoYes



                
  NoStep 4
    **Yes**.Vehicle Operator License, Part 450.**No**.Vehicle Operator License, Part 450 or Experimental Permit, Part 437.**Yes**.
Launch Site Operator License Part 420.**No**.
Will the Site Operator only support reentry vehicle operations?**Yes**.Review Safety Element Approval 14 CFR Part 414.**No**.
Are you a payload owner or operator looking to get approval to launch or reenter a payload?Yes



                
  NoYes



                
  NoStep 5
    **Yes**.
Reentry Site Operator LicensePart 433.**No**.
Will the Site Operator support both launch and reentry vehicle operations?**Yes**.Payload Approval
(may be conducted separate from a license or permit application)**No**.
Talk to Commercial Space Transportation 202‐287‐7793 EmailYes



                
  NoStep 6
    **Yes**.
Apply for a Reentry Site Operator License Part 433 and Launch Site Operator License Part 420.**No**.Contact the Office of Commercial Space Transportation (PDF)
202‐287‐7793 EmailDepartment of Transportation
      
            Commercial Space Regulations

FAA commercial space transportation regulations are located in Chapter III, Parts 400 to 460, of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The regulations implement statutory requirements. Also check the Commercial Space Transportation Regulations page.

All Active Commercial Space Transportation Advisory CircularsTo Start the Application Process

All applicants go through a similar Process. These can include a license, permit, or approval.

To start a process contact Commercial Space Transportation (PDF).

Pre-Application Checklists

To help in the pre-application process, Commercial Space Transportation provides simple application checklists organizations may use when applying for a launch or reentry license, experimental permit, launch site operator license, or safety approval. These checklists are available to assist applicants in developing a comprehensive, compliant, and complete application for Commercial Space Transportation review and approval.

Part 413 License Application Procedures Checklist (MS Excel)
	Part 414 Safety Approvals Checklist (MS Excel)
	Part 415 Launch License (other than RLV) Checklist (MS Excel)
	Part 417 Launch Safety (ELV) Checklist (MS Excel)
	Part 420 License to Operate Launch Site Checklist (MS Excel)
	Part 431 Launch and Reentry of RLV Checklist (MS Excel)
	Part 433 License to Operate Reentry Site Checklist (MS Excel)
	Part 435 Reentry of a Reentry Vehicle Other than RLV
	Checklist (MS Excel)
	Part 437 Experimental Permits Checklist (MS Excel)
	Part 440 Financial Responsibility Checklist (MS Excel)
	Part 450: Pre-Application Consultation Checklist (PDF)
	Part 460 Human Space Flight Checklist (MS Excel)Step by Step Process for all Applicants

All applicants go through a similar Process. These can include a license, permit, or approval.

To start a process contact Commercial Space Transportation (PDF).

Initial Discussions

Begins with conversations on the applicant's Concept of Operations (CONOP)
	A Commercial Space Transportation POC is assigned to the applicant
	A regulatory path is defined based on the applicant's CONOP
	Movement into Pre-App depends on License/Permit/Approval1. Pre-Application Consultation

A full pre-app team is assigned to the applicant
	The license documents may be created and submitted to Commercial Space Transportation for feedback and refinement
	The environmental process (NEPA) begins [if applicable]
	The airspace and U.S. Coast Guard discussions begin [if applicable]
	Ends when the application is submitted formally and accepted by Commercial Space Transportation for evaluation2. Application Evaluation

120 days for permits (statutory requirement)
	180 days for licenses (statutory requirement)
	180 days for approvals (internal AST requirement)3. License Issuance/Denial

If a license/permit/approval is issued, Safety Inspectors conduct inspections.Commercial Space Transportation Process — Site/Vehicle Operator License

Licensing process

After License Issuance

Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement
	Modifications
	Renewal U.S. Department of Transportation

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