The US Federal Aviation Administration is updating its launch license requirements: if you’re launching something designed for reentry, you’ll need a license for that, too.
It appears to be a response to last year’s situation, where Varda Space Industries launched its W-1 mission without a license to bring the capsule back to US soil.
The notice, applicable from April 17, 2024, requires that if a payload is a reentry vehicle, then it must have re-entry authorization before launch will be authorized.
The FAA’s concerns regarding launching without re-entry authorization stem from public safety and an acknowledgment that the reentry vehicle will eventually return to Earth once launched.
The FAA explained: “Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the safety of the reentry prior to launch.”
While the FAA gave permission for the launch, it did not give authorization for the capsule to return to the US.
The company emphasized on social media that it had followed the rules, and said: “Last year, the FAA gave Varda formal, written permission to launch W-1 & Varda complied w/ all requirements to do so.
“Varda will continue working with the FAA and other federal regulators as their policies regarding reentry operations continue to evolve.”
A launch license is also required if you are launching an object intended for reentry, according to new regulations from the US Federal Aviation Administration. prior to launch.
It seems to be a reaction to the events of the previous year, when Varda Space Industries launched the W-1 mission without a permit to return the capsule to US territory.
The notice, which is effective April 17, 2024, mandates that reentry authorization be obtained before launch is approved for a payload that is a vehicle for reentry.
Given that the reentry vehicle will eventually return to Earth after launch, the FAA is concerned about public safety when launching without re-entry authorization. Its mission may be limited by propellant, component failure, or other factors, but eventually it will re-enter unless its orbit can be raised high enough that it becomes unfavorable.
Thus, it is essential to assess the reentry’s safety before launch, according to the FAA’s explanation. “.
Based on a Rocket Lab Photon spacecraft bus, Varda’s W-1 was launched into orbit last year. Although the FAA approved the launch, it did not approve the capsule’s return to the United States.
As such, the mission was ultimately extended well beyond the original schedule, albeit falling short of the maximum amount of time the spacecraft could have spent in orbit.
The business stressed on social media that it had complied with all regulations, posting: “Varda complied with all requirements to launch W-1 and was granted formal, written permission by the FAA to do so last year.”.
“Varda will not stop cooperating with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other federal regulators as their reentry operations policies develop further. “.”.
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“Once FAA issued a license early this year, our flight-proven reentry system safely and successfully landed at the Utah Test and Training Range,” a Varda representative told The Register. “We expect to launch our next mission later this year,” the spokesperson continued. “.
