https://spacewatch.global/tag/federal-aviation-administration/ AN INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVE ON SPACE Wed, 14 Jan 2026 22:13:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://spacewatch.global/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SpaceWatchGlobal-Sign-90x90.png https://spacewatch.global/tag/federal-aviation-administration/ 32 32 https://spacewatch.global/2026/01/spacewatchgl-opinion-spaceport-rush-hour/ Mon, 26 Jan 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=70338
Written Tom Roeder
The Federal Aviation Administration celebrated its 1,000th commercial space launch in August, but the milestone that was 68 years in the making could seem miniscule in coming years as the agency readies for an unprecedented number of liftoffs.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2025/08/spacewatchgl-opinion-global-space-governance-under-pressure-from-u-s-deregulation/ Wed, 20 Aug 2025 08:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=67165 On 13 August 2025, the White House issued an Executive Order titled “Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry.” From where I sit as a space journalist, this marks one of the boldest—and riskiest—moves in U.S. space policy I’ve seen in years]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/11/faa-completes-spacex-starship-safety-review/ Thu, 02 Nov 2023 07:00:11 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=52049 The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has completed a key portion of the launch licence review for SpaceX’s Starship. Regulators said on Tuesday they completed a safety review focused on how a Starship launch could affect public health and property. The review evaluated SpaceX’s safety organisation, system safety processes, flight safety analysis, and quantitative risk criteria for launch, reentry and vehicle disposal. The review is a key step towards SpaceX being able to launch. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/04/rand-assess-spaceflight-industry-progress/ Fri, 07 Apr 2023 06:00:46 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=47850 RAND researchers have assessed the progress that the commercial spaceflight industry has made in adopting voluntary safety standards, the industry’s progress in meeting key metrics set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2017, and whether the industry has matured such that areas identified in FAA reports are ready for regulatory action. The Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act of 2015 imposes a moratorium on safety regulations until the 1st of October, 2023. The FAA will be authorised to propose and issue regulations upon expiration of the moratorium. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/02/vaya-space-launches-first-suborbital-test-flight-successfully/ Fri, 18 Feb 2022 07:00:29 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=39270 Vaya Space announced it successfully test launched its hybrid rocket, Dauntless, from Mojave, California, operating under an existing FAA waiver.  The suborbital flight validated the STAR-3D engine powered rocket design running on 3D printed fuel grains from recycled thermoplastics.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2021/12/faa-delays-starship-environmental-review/ Wed, 29 Dec 2021 07:00:13 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=38193 The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it needed two more months to complete the environmental review of SpaceX Starship orbital launches from the Boca Chica facility in Texas. The FAA was unable to meet the original deadline of 31st December due to the high volume of comments submitted.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2021/09/nasas-air-taxi-flight-testing-in-progress-with-jobys-evtol/ Mon, 06 Sep 2021 06:00:26 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=35528 NASA began flight testing with Joby Aviation’s all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft on 30th August, NASA reported. The testing forms part of the agency’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) National Campaign. eVTOL aircraft could potentially be used as air taxis transporting people and cargo.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2021/09/faa-grounds-virgin-galactic-space-flights-due-to-july-mishap-investigation/ Fri, 03 Sep 2021 06:00:53 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=35494 https://spacewatch.global/2020/08/virgin-galactic-reveals-initial-vehicle-design-for-high-speed-travel/ Thu, 06 Aug 2020 05:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=24810&preview=true&preview_id=24810 Virgin Galactic, which includes its manufacturer of advanced air and space vehicles, The Spaceship Company, has revealed the initial designs for its high speed vehicle and has signed non-binding memorandum of understanding with Rolls-Royce to collaborate in designing and developing engine propulsion technology for high-speed commercial aircraft.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2020/08/rocket-lab-to-resume-electron-launches-in-august/ Mon, 03 Aug 2020 05:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=24727&preview=true&preview_id=24727