The FAA released a notice of availability on December 19, 2019, for its draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority’s application for a license to operate a launch site (popularly referred to as spaceports). The FAA is announcing the availability of and requesting comments on its draft EA, which evaluates the potential environmental impacts of the FAA issuing a launch site operator license to TCAA for the operation of a commercial space launch site at the Space Coast Regional Airport (TIX). Under the proposed action, TCAA would operate a commercial space launch site at TIX to offer the site for launches of horizontal takeoff and horizontal-landing launch vehicles. TCAA would also construct facilities related to its planned operations.
The draft EA itself may be found here. One interesting aspect of the draft is mention of the need for the proposed spaceport to enter into a letter of agreement with the appropriate air traffic control facilities as required by 14 CFR 420.31(b):
As a component of the launch site operator license application process, TCAA would enter into a Letter of Agreement with all appropriate Air Traffic Control facilities to establish procedures for the issuance of a Notice to Airmen prior to a launch and for closing of air routes during the launch window and other such measures as the FAA Air Traffic Control office deems necessary to protect public health and safety. The FAA Air Traffic Organization would participate in and provide inputs to the process of determining flight corridors and RLV operating areas, along with the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation, the U.S. Air Force Eastern Range and affected military air traffic control agencies, and spaceport airspace users.
Section 420.31(b)’s requirement for a letter of agreement states that a spaceport operator applying for an FAA license must complete such an agreement unless the spaceport would be located on a federal launch range that already has such an agreement.
DATES: Comments on the Draft EA must be received on or before January 17, 2020.
Public Meeting: The FAA will hold a public meeting on January 8th, 2020, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.