Rocketry Planet

WASHINGTON, District of Columbia USA — The Federal Aviation Administration announced on December 23 that, beginning February 28th, 2000 and lasting for 2 weeks, a Public Forum on the Internet will be conducted regarding the future regulation of small rockets.

• The rocket motor(s) has a total impulse of 200,000 pound-seconds or less; and
• The rocket motor(s) has a total burning time or operating time of less than 15 seconds; and
• The rocket has a ballistic coefficient—i.e., gross weight in pounds divided by frontal area of rocket vehicle—less than 12 pounds per square inch.

1. Small-scale launch vehicles that meet the criteria listed under the definition of "amateur rocket activities" in 14 CFR part 401 have become more powerful and sophisticated. These vehicles can achieve higher performance levels than anticipated under the current definition of "amateur rocket activity." Higher performance can lead to the ability to reach greater altitudes and travel greater distances resulting in greater risk to public health and safety and safety of property.
2. A number of small-scale launch vehicles are being developed and launched using liquid propellants. Even though these vehicles may not have the size or power to warrant FAA licensing, they may have a burn time of 15 seconds or more and therefore do not meet a criterion of "amateur rocket activities." Under the current regulations, a person wishing to launch a liquid-propelled launch vehicle with a burn time of 15 seconds or greater would require a license or would have to apply to the FAA to waive the requirement for a license.
3. New commercial launch concepts often begin with developmental tests using prototypes or other test vehicles. Some test vehicles are relatively powerful, but have limited altitude or range capability. Launches of these vehicles may not meet the definition of amateur rocket activities. However, launch vehicles that have limited altitude and range can be contained within a controlled area without using a flight safety system. Thus, only minimal safety measures are needed to protect the public from launch hazards.

1. What existing and future launch activities could be conducted without FAA licensing? What criteria could be used to define these activities? Possible criteria include —
   • The total impulse of the rocket’s motors;
   • The maximum altitude the rocket can reach;
   • The physical size of the rocket;
   • The materials used to construct the rocket;
   • Whether professionally manufactured rocket motors are used;
   • Whether the rocket’s propulsion system uses liquid, solid, or hybrid propellant;
   • Whether toxic propellants are used;
   • The size and location of the launch site; and
   • Whether the rocket is launched from a balloon or other airborne platform.
2. What existing and future launch activities would be appropriate for a "light-license?" What criteria could be used to define these activities? Should similar criteria be used as in question (1) but with higher thresholds?
3. For launch activities that are appropriate for a "light-license," what standards or safety measures should be required as a matter of FAA licensing requirements to ensure public health and safety and the safety of property? Possible safety measures include —
   • The use of trajectory and dispersion analyses during the planning stages of a launch;
   • Analyzing the risks to the public during the planning stages of a launch;
   • Determining and establishing hazard areas to contain launch hazards; and
   • Using "wind weighting" to ensure the launch vehicle flies within established hazard areas.
4. What would be an appropriate application process for a "light-license? " Would standard forms be helpful? Would electronic submission be helpful?
5. What else, not addressed above, should the FAA consider?