(a) Applicability. This part applies to the following:

(1) Licenses issued under this part before June 8, 2021; and

(2) Licenses issued on or after June 8, 2021, if the FAA accepted the application under § 413.11 of this chapter before that date.

(b) Scope. This part prescribes requirements for obtaining a license to launch an expendable launch vehicle and post-licensing requirements with which a licensee must comply to remain licensed. Requirements for preparing a license application are in part 413 of this subchapter.

(a) Definitions. For the purposes of this part, the definitions of § 401.5 of this chapter apply.

(b) Compliance with part 450 of this chapter. Operations under this part must comply with launch and reentry collision avoidance requirements in § 450.169 of this chapter and critical asset protection requirements in §§ 450.101(a)(4) and (b)(4) of this chapter.

(a) Launch-specific license. A launch-specific license authorizes a licensee to conduct one or more launches, having the same launch parameters, of one type of launch vehicle from one launch site. The license identifies, by name or mission, each launch authorized under the license. A licensee's authorization to launch terminates upon completion of all launches authorized by the license or the expiration date stated in the license, whichever occurs first.

(b) Launch operator license. A launch operator license authorizes a licensee to conduct launches from one launch site, within a range of launch parameters, of launch vehicles from the same family of vehicles transporting specified classes of payloads. A launch operator license remains in effect for five years from the date of issuance.

(c) Notwithstanding the duration for a license established in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, no license issued under this part will be valid after March 10, 2026.

To obtain a launch license, an applicant must obtain policy and safety approvals from the FAA. Requirements for obtaining these approvals are contained in subparts B, C and F of this part. Only a launch license applicant may apply for the approvals, and may apply for either approval separately and in advance of submitting a complete license application, using the application procedures contained in part 413 of this subchapter.

A payload determination is required for a launch license unless the proposed payload is exempt from payload review under § 415.53 of this part. The FAA conducts a payload review, as described in subpart D of this part, to make the determination. Either a launch license applicant or a payload owner or operator may request a review of its proposed payload using the application procedures contained in part 413 of this subchapter. Upon receipt of an application, the FAA may conduct a payload review independently of a launch license application.

To obtain a launch license, an applicant proposing to conduct a launch with a space flight participant, crew, or government astronaut on board must demonstrate compliance with §§ 460.5, 460.7, 460.11, 460.13, 460.15, 460.17, 460.51, 460.53, 460.59, 460.61, and 460.67 of this subchapter.

(a) The FAA issues a launch license to an applicant who has obtained all approvals and determinations required under this chapter for a license.

(b) A launch license authorizes a licensee to conduct a launch or launches in accordance with the representations contained in the licensee's application, subject to the licensee's compliance with terms and conditions contained in license orders accompanying the license, including financial responsibility requirements, and part 417 of this chapter.

The FAA may modify a launch license at any time by modifying or adding license terms and conditions to ensure compliance with the Act and regulations.

(a) Only the FAA may transfer a launch license.

(b) An applicant for transfer of a launch license shall submit a license application in accordance with part 413 of this subchapter and shall meet the requirements of part 415 of this subchapter. The FAA will transfer a license to an applicant who has obtained all of the approvals and determinations required under this chapter for a license. In conducting its reviews and issuing approvals and determinations, the FAA may incorporate by reference any findings made part of the record to support the initial licensing determination. The FAA may modify a license to reflect any changes necessary as a result of a license transfer.

Issuance of a launch license does not relieve a licensee of its obligation to comply with all applicable requirements of law or regulation that may apply to its activities, nor does issuance confer any proprietary, property or exclusive right in the use of any federal launch range or related facilities, airspace, or outer space.