Exclusion of Tethered Launches From Licensing Requirements
The FAA is amending its commercial space transportation regulations to exclude specified tethered launches from its licensing and permitting requirements. This action maintains safety by providing launch vehicle operators with clear and simple criteria for a safe tethered launch, while relieving operators and the FAA from the administrative burden of filing and processing license and permit applications or waiver requests. The intent of this final rule is to enhance the safety of tethered launches and improve regulatory effectiveness.