The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking public comment on two new initiatives that will ensure continued American dominance in the global commercial space transportation industry.
The FAA is asking the public and industry for ideas on what makes a good new viable spaceport site, why some existing commercial spaceports are underused and what the government could do to make them more useful, and how “critical space launch corridors” in airspace should work. It also seeks input on previously discussed locations and possible other locations.
The agency hopes to use the feedback to support faster, more frequent space launches that minimize disruption to regular air travel and maintain safety.
“Public input is essential as we plan for the future of commercial space transportation,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said. “By hearing from industry, local communities, aviation stakeholders, and the broader public, we can better identify viable spaceport locations and develop airspace routes that support more frequent launches while maintaining the highest standards of safety and efficiency.”
Currently, 83 percent of launches happen on three sites, but increased launch and reentry demand will require more sites to provide more capacity. The FAA estimates the number of FAA-licensed commercial space launches will reach 10,000 launches and reentries annually by 2035.