Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration
This document informs the public that FAA has determined not to pursue the previously published NPRM, which proposed to require that upper stages of commercial launch vehicles and other components resulting from launch or reentry be removed from orbit within 25 years after launch, either through atmospheric disposal or maneuver to an acceptable disposal orbit. FAA is withdrawing this action to further consider comments received.
Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Parts 401, 404, 415, 417, 431, 435, 437, 450, and 453 [Docket No.: FAA-2023-1858; Notice No. 23-13] RIN 2120-AK81 ( printed page 1724) AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM); withdrawal. SUMMARY: This document informs the public that FAA has determined not to pursue the previously published NPRM, which proposed to require that upper stages of commercial launch vehicles and other components resulting from launch or reentry be removed from orbit within 25 years after launch, either through atmospheric disposal or maneuver to an acceptable disposal orbit. FAA is withdrawing this action to further consider comments received. DATES: The NPRM published on September 26, 2023, at 88 FR 65835 is withdrawn, effective January 15, 2026. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Earle, Space Policy and Outreach Branch Manager, Office of Commercial Space Transportation (ASZ-220), Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-8376; email stephen.earle@faa.gov . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On September 26, 2023, FAA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) titled “Mitigation Methods for Launch Vehicle Upper Stages on the Creation of Orbital Debris.”  [ 1 ] The proposed rule would require upper stages of commercial launch vehicles and other componen…
Other Federal Register documents from the same docket.
Citation: 91 FR 1724
