Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments; Clearance of a Renewed Approval of Information Collection: Commercial Space Transportation Licensing Regulations
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ELI5 AI
The FAA wants to hear what people think about collecting information from companies that want to launch rockets into space. They need to make sure everything is safe and follows the rules, but it might take a lot of time, 163 hours, for each of these companies to share all the details they need.
Summary AI
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking public comments on its proposal to renew an information collection related to commercial space launches. This proposal, under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, is meant to assure that applicants for space launch licenses provide data that meet U.S. public safety, national security, and foreign policy standards. The information collection has been previously announced in the Federal Register, and the deadline for submitting comments is March 28, 2025. The process involves about 17 space launch applicants, with an estimated burden of 163 hours per response, totaling 2,779 hours annually.
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The information will determine if applicant proposals for conducting commercial space launches can be accomplished according to regulations issued by the Office of the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation. The Federal Register notice with a 60- day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on June 24, 2024. The Commercial Space Launch Act of 1984, as recodified, requires certain data be provided in applying for a license to conduct commercial space launch activities. These data are required to demonstrate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation (AST), that a license applicant's proposed activities meet applicable public safety, national security, and foreign policy interests of the United States.
Keywords AI
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AnalysisAI
Overview
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a part of the United States Department of Transportation, has released a notice in the Federal Register inviting public comments on the renewal of an information collection related to commercial space launches. This renewal under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 aims to ensure that license applicants submit data that comply with the United States' public safety, national security, and foreign policy standards. The document specifies that the public comment period ends on March 28, 2025, and outlines an information collection process involving approximately 17 space launch applicants. Each response is estimated to require about 163 hours, accumulating to 2,779 hours of effort annually across all applicants.
Key Issues
One significant concern with this notice is the absence of any specific updates or improvements to the existing data collection process. The document outlines a renewal, which may indicate that no substantial changes have been proposed to address potential inefficiencies in the current system. Moreover, the average burden of 163 hours per response appears quite high and may be seen as burdensome without evidence of attempts to streamline the procedure.
The repetition of background information, particularly regarding the requirements established by the Commercial Space Launch Act and the role of the Associate Administrator, may unnecessarily complicate the notice. Such redundancy can add to the document's length without contributing additional essential insights.
Additionally, certain phrases, such as those mentioning the enhancement of the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collection, lack specificity, potentially diminishing the document's usefulness as a vehicle for obtaining constructive public feedback.
Further complicating the reader's understanding, references to multiple Federal Register documents, such as 89 FR 52532 and 90 FR 10779, without clear linkage or explanation, might confuse stakeholders attempting to grasp the procedural history or the broader context of the notice.
General and Stakeholder Impact
For the general public, this document underscores the ongoing regulatory oversight involved in commercial space transportation. While the renewal of data collection might not directly influence the average person's daily life, it plays a crucial role in securing public interests, such as safety and national security, regarding commercial space activities.
For specific stakeholders, particularly the estimated 17 space launch applicants, the impact involves a significant time investment in providing necessary data to secure licenses. The high burden could strain smaller companies or emerging space enterprises with limited resources. However, the process also underscores the FAA's commitment to maintaining rigorous safety and compliance standards, potentially benefiting companies that prioritize these objectives.
Having a transparent public comment period allows stakeholders and interested parties the opportunity to voice their concerns or suggestions, offering an essential avenue for potential regulatory improvements.
In summary, while the notice highlights necessary regulatory activities, it could be improved by offering clearer updates, reducing unnecessary repetition, and providing more accessible references to related documents.
Issues
• The document mentions a renewal for an information collection, but it doesn't outline any specific changes or improvements proposed for the renewal, which could indicate the perpetuation of potential inefficiencies.
• The background information repetitively states the requirements of the Commercial Space Launch Act and the role of the Associate Administrator, which may not be necessary and adds to the complexity and length of the document.
• The average burden of 163 hours per response for space launch applicants might be considered high and potentially burdensome, though it is unclear if the FAA has considered ways to streamline this process.
• Language such as 'enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection' is vague without providing specifics on how this could be achieved, which may reduce the effectiveness of public comments.
• The use of multiple document references (e.g., 89 FR 52532 and 90 FR 10779) without clear connections may make it difficult for stakeholders to follow the procedural history.