Secure World Foundation (SWF) submitted comments to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Secure World Foundation (SWF) submitted comments to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on its Request for Information concerning the siting of new spaceports and the use of priority airspace for critical space launch corridors. Issued pursuant to the 2026 National Space Transportation Policy, the RFI seeks input on accommodating anticipated growth in U.S. launch and reentry activity, potentially reaching 10,000 operations annually by 2035.
SWF supports the FAA’s efforts to strengthen U.S. commercial space transportation capabilities and accommodate growing launch and reentry activity. As activity scales, thoughtful planning and coordination will be essential to protect public safety, manage the impacts on other users of shared environments, and ensure that the regulatory and operational frameworks remain effective. Addressing these challenges proactively will support sustainable industry growth and reinforce U.S. leadership in responsible space transportation globally.
SWF thus offers the following recommendations:
- Incorporate safety, environmental, and cross-border considerations into spaceport siting decisions, including impacts on other users of shared airspace and maritime areas and applicable international legal obligations.
- Develop a flexible, risk-based framework for critical space launch corridors that supports predictable access while minimizing restrictions on other airspace users, with transparent prioritization criteria, timely information sharing, effective domestic and international coordination, and periodic review of corridor performance.
- Strengthen safety information sharing and coordination across launch, on-orbit operations, and reentry, to address gaps in post-separation collision avoidance and the assessment of aviation risks from reentry, through cooperation with relevant
https://www.regulations.gov/comment/FAA-2026-9736-0226
