2023-20531: Mitigation Methods for Launch Vehicle Upper Stages on the Creation of Orbital Debris

Summary

To limit the growth of orbital debris, the FAA proposes 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. Any artificial object left in orbit around the Earth which no longer serves a useful purpose can become a debris hazard in space. Orbital debris is all such human- generated debris in Earth orbit that is greater than 5 millimeters (mm) in any dimension. Collisions between and with orbital debris are a growing concern because prior to the establishment of the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) practices allowed these objects to accumulate in Earth orbit. Additionally, an increasing number of launch operators are launching assets into space at greater rates. If left unchecked, this accumulation can clutter useful orbits and present a hazard to operations on-orbit. This proposed rule would reduce the amount of additional debris created, as well as limit potential collisions with functional spacecraft and other debris already on-orbit.

The agency’s own summary, as published.

What this changes

Amends 9 parts of the Code of Federal Regulations — the standing rules this notice rewrites.

• 14 CFR 401 Organization and Definitions
• 14 CFR 404 Petition and Rulemaking Procedures
• 14 CFR 415
• 14 CFR 417
• 14 CFR 431
• 14 CFR 435
• 14 CFR 437 Experimental Permits
• 14 CFR 450 Launch and Reentry License Requirements
• 14 CFR 453