Regulation

FAA proposes to amend its commercial space launch and reentry licensing regulations to streamline the licensing process and reduce regulatory burden for license applicants. Specifically, FAA proposes to allow a launch and reentry vehicle operator to protect against high consequence events during an uncontrolled atmospheric return by showing that there would be sufficient breakup of the vehicle to ensure protection against a single event expected to produce multiple casualties.

FAA proposes to amend its commercial space launch and reentry licensing regulations to streamline the licensing process and reduce regulatory burden for license applicants. Specifically, FAA proposes to clarify the requirements for establishing flight safety limits that define when a vehicle operator must initiate flight abort.

FAA proposes to amend its commercial space launch and reentry licensing regulations to streamline the licensing process and reduce regulatory burden for license applicants. Specifically, FAA proposes to clarify the conditions under which a vehicle operator is not required to abort a flight.

This final rule contains technical corrections in FAA regulations.

In this document, the Space Bureau (Bureau or we) within the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) updates the initial set of geostationary (GSO) satellite network reference links adopted in the Modernizing Spectrum Sharing for Satellite Broadband Report and Order (Order). Ensuring the GSO reference links appropriately reflect typical and widespread GSO satellite operations in the United States will promote efficient spectrum sharing among today's broadband satellite systems.

In this document, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (Bureau) establishes GN Docket No. 26-289, which is captioned "Eligible Space Station Operator Transition Plans for the Upper C- Band." This document also details the process for notice and comment on the eligible space station operators' initial Transition Plans. Stakeholder comments are due on November 30, 2026. All initial Transition Plans and responsive comments should be filed only in GN Docket No. 26-289.

In this document, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (Bureau) invites interested parties to comment on the Upper C-band Transition Preliminary Cost Catalog (Cost Catalog), which is attached as Attachment A. The Cost Catalog contains preliminary estimates of reasonable and necessary transition costs that eligible space station operators and incumbent earth station operators (collectively, incumbents) may incur as they transition out of 4.0-4.16 GHz to make 160 megahertz of mid-band spectrum available to 3.7 GHz Service licensees for flexible use throughout the contiguous United States. The Cost Catalog also includes the payment categories for incumbent earth station operators that elect lump sum reimbursement in lieu of actual cost reimbursement. In Upper C-band (3.98-4.2 GHz); Expanding Flexible Use of the 3.7 to 4.2 GHz Band, GN Docket Nos. 25-59 and 18-122, Report and Order, Order of Proposed Modification, and Order on Reconsideration, FCC 26-46 (July 24, 2026) (Upper C-band R&O), the Commission established that new 3.7 GHz Service licensees will reimburse incumbents for their reasonable and necessary relocation costs to transition out of 4.0-4.16 GHz and directed the Bureau to develop the Cost Catalog.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA) and FAA Order 1050.1G, FAA National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures, FAA is announcing its intent to prepare a PEIS analyzing Space Exploration Technologies Corp.'s (SpaceX) proposal to increase Starship-Super Heavy operations at the Boca Chica Launch Site at Starbase, TX and expand Starship landing and expenditure locations. Subsequent license modifications or renewals under 14 CFR part 400 are within the scope of the PEIS, and the issuance of temporary airspace closures associated with the Proposed Action are included in FAA's Federal Action. FAA is requesting comments concerning the scope and content of the PEIS. A Draft PEIS will be released for public review and comment at a later date.

FAA proposes to amend its commercial space launch and reentry licensing regulations to streamline the licensing process and reduce regulatory burden for license applicants. Specifically, FAA proposes to amend the regulations to state that a far-field overpressure blast effects analysis required for license applicants does not need to account for members of the public in hypothetical locations.

FAA proposes to amend its commercial space launch and reentry licensing regulations to streamline the licensing process and reduce regulatory burden for license applicants. Specifically, FAA proposes to add an exception for compliance with lightning hazard mitigation requirements for certain licensed launch and reentry operations.

FAA proposes to amend its commercial space launch and reentry licensing regulations to streamline the licensing process. Specifically, FAA proposes to alleviate regulatory burden for license applicants by consolidating information required for an operator's flight safety analysis.

FAA proposes to amend its commercial space launch and reentry licensing regulations to allow for submission of license and permit applications and requests for waivers, alternative time frames, and safety element approvals through additional electronic methods.

FAA proposes to amend its commercial space launch and reentry licensing regulations to streamline the licensing process and reduce regulatory burden on operators. Specifically, FAA proposes to relieve the burden by specifying that, when using physical containment as a hazard control strategy, operators do not need to develop flight hazard areas in accordance with FAA's existing flight hazard area analysis requirements.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), FAA Order 1050.1G, FAA National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures, and Department of War (DoW) and Department of the Air Force (DAF) NEPA Implementing Procedures, FAA is announcing its intent to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) concerning Space Exploration Technologies Corp.'s (SpaceX) proposal obtain a modification to their existing vehicle operator license from the FAA to authorize commercial Starship-Super Heavy operations at Space Launch Complex 37 (SLC-37) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS). This SEIS supports FAA's adoption of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the SpaceX Starship-Super Heavy Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (2025 DAF EIS), EIS Identification Number: EISX-007-057-USF-1730277197. The proposed operations would include up to 76 Starship-Super Heavy launches and up to 152 landings per year (up to 76 Super Heavy Booster and up to 76 Starship vehicle landings), including return-to-launch-site (RTLS) and ocean landings. FAA is requesting comments concerning the scope and content of the SEIS. A Draft SEIS will be released for public review and comment later.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), DOT Order 5610.1D, DOT's Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts, and FAA Order 1050.1G, FAA National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures, the FAA is announcing the availability of and requesting comment on the Draft Environmental Assessment Blue Origin New Glenn Cadence Increase at Space Launch Complex 36A, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida (Draft EA).

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), DOT Order 5610.1D, DOT's Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts, and FAA Order 1050.1G, FAA National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures, FAA is announcing the availability of its Finding of No Significant Impact and Record of Decision (FONSI/ROD) for the U.S. Space Force (USSF) 2024 Final Supplemental Environmental Assessment for the Terran R Space Launch Program, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (2024 Final SEA).

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), DOT Order 5610.1D, DOT's Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts, and FAA Order 1050.1G, FAA National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures, FAA is announcing the availability of and requesting comment on the Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Reentry Vehicle Operations in the Marine Environment (Draft PEA). FAA is also requesting comment on proposed new categorical exclusions (CATEXs) as described in and substantiated by the Draft PEA.

The Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) issues a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposes to expand opportunities for direct-to-device (D2D) communications by permitting certain unlicensed devices to communicate with satellites on a non-interference basis. Building on recent market growth and new industry investment in D2D technologies, the NPRM explores adding satellite allocations in specific unlicensed bands, clarifying that equipment may operate within spacecraft, and establishing a flexible regulatory framework that preserves incumbent operations while enabling continued innovation. The Commission seeks comment on technical, licensing, and policy considerations to support expanded D2D connectivity and ensure coexistence with existing services.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), DOT Order 5610.1D, DOT's Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts, and FAA Order 1050.1G, FAA National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures, the FAA is announcing the availability of the Final Tiered Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact/Record of Decision for SpaceX Starship Reentry Contingency Operations in the Pacific Ocean and Additional Starship Landing Trajectory (Final Tiered EA and FONSI/ROD).

Under the leadership of President Trump and at the direction of Secretary Duffy and Administrator Bedford, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are pursuing opportunities to ensure the United States global dominance in the commercial space transportation industry. The FAA is issuing this RFI to solicit public and industry input on two key transportation- related elements of President Trump's recently published 2026 National Space Transportation Policy (NSTP): siting a new spaceport and the development and use of priority airspace for critical space launch corridors.