[Federal Register: February 21, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 35)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 10979-10980]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21fe01-18]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Parts 413, 415 and 417
[Docket No. FAA-2000-7953; Notice No. 00-10]
RIN 2120-AG37
Licensing and Safety Requirements for Launch
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); extension of comment
period.
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SUMMARY: This action extends the comment period for an NPRM that was
published on October 25, 2000. In that document, the FAA proposed to
amend its regulations to codify its license application process for
launch from a non-federal launch site, and to codify its safety
requirements for all licensed launches. This extension is a result of
requests from International Launch Services, Lockheed Martin
Corporation, Orbital Sciences Corporation, Sea Launch Company, LLC and
The Boeing Company to extend the comment period to the proposal.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 23, 2001.
ADDRESSES: Comments on this document should be mailed or delivered, in
duplicate, to: U.S. Department of Transportation Dockets, Docket No.
FAA-2000-7953, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room Plaza 401, Washington, DC
20590. Comments may be filed and examined in Room Plaza 401,
Washington, DC 20590. Comments may be filed and examined in Room Plaza
401 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays, except Federal holidays.
Comments also may be sent electronically to the Dockets Management
System (DMS) at the following Internet address: http://dms.dot.gov at
any time. Commenters who wish to file comments electronically, should
follow the instructions on the DMS web site.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Dook, Licensing and Safety
Division (AST-200), Associate Administrator for Commercial Space
Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, DOT, Room 331, 800
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-
8462; or Laura Montgomery, Office of the Chief Counsel (AGC-200),
Federal Aviation Administration, DOT, Room 915, 800 Independence
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-3150.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in this rulemaking by
submitting such written data, views, or arguments, as they may desire.
Comments relating to the environmental, energy, federalism, or economic
impact that might result from adopting the proposals in this document
are also invited. Substantive comments should be accompanied by cost
estimates. Comments should identify the regulatory docket or notice
number and should be submitted in duplicate to the Rules Docket address
specified above.
All comments received, as well as a report summarizing each
substantive public contact with FAA personnel on this rulemaking, will
be filed in the docket. The docket is available for public inspection
before and after the comment closing date.
The Administrator will consider all comments received on or before
the closing date before taking action on this proposed rulemaking.
Comments filed late will be considered as far as possible without
incurring expense or delay. The proposals contained in this rulemaking
may be changed in light of the comments received.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must include a pre-addressed,
stamped postcard with those comments on which the following statement
is made: ``Comments to Docket No. FAA-2000-7953.'' The postcard will be
date stamped and mailed to the commenters.
Availability of NPRMs
An electronic copy is available on the Internet by taking the
following steps:
(1) Go to the search function of the Department of Transportation's
electronic Docket Management System (DMS) Web page (hhtp://dms.dot.gov/
search).
(2) On the search page type in the last four digits of the Docket
number shown at the beginning of this notice. Click on ``search.''
(3) On the next page, which contains the Docket summary information
for the Docket selected, click on the proposed rule.
An electronic copy is also available on the Internet through FAA's
web page at http://www.faa.gov/avr/arm/nprm/nprm.htm or the Federal
Register's web page at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su__docs/aces/
aces140.html.
Further, a copy may be obtained by submitting a written request to
the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Rulemaking, ARM-1, 800
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267-
9680. Make sure to identify the notice number or docket number of this
proposed rule.
Background
The Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation of
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation
(DOT), published a notice proposing to amend the FAA's commercial space
transportation regulations (October 25, 2000, 65 FR 63921). The FAA
proposes to amend its regulations to codify its license application
process for launch from a non-federal launch site. A non-federal launch
site is a launch site not located on a federal launch range. The
proposed regulations are also intended to codify the safety
requirements for launch operators regarding license requirements,
criteria, and responsibilities in order to protect the public from the
hazards of launch for launch from a federal launch range or a non-
federal launch site.
Extension of Comment Period
In accordance with Sec. 404.13 of Title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations, the FAA has reviewed the petitions made by International
Launch Services, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Orbital Sciences
Corporation, Sea Launch Company, LLC and The Boeing Company for
extension of the comment period to Notice No. 00-10. These petitioners
jointly requested an extension of time of 180 days to permit more time
to address substantial issues in the notice of proposed rulemaking. To
allow additional time for a more thorough review of applicable issues
and drafting of responsive comments, the FAA finds that there is good
cause and it is in the public interest to extend the comment period for
an additional 60 days beyond the 120 already provided. Accordingly, the
comment period for Notice No. 00-10 is extended until April 23, 2001.
[[Page 10980]]
Issued in Washington, DC, on February 15, 2001.
Patricia Grace Smith,
Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation.
[FR Doc. 01-4378 Filed 2-20-01; 8:45 am]
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