Regulatory Alert: AAAE Responds to FAA’s RFI on Spaceports and Launch Corridors

October 27, 2026

Yesterday, AAAE submitted comments in response to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) request for information (RFI) that solicited feedback on the siting of new spaceports (more formally known as launch and reentry sites) and the development and use of prioritized airspace for “critical space launch corridors.” The FAA’s RFI was issued in August after President Trump released his National Space Transportation Policy (NSTP), which outlines a series of actions for his administration to take to strengthen space transportation infrastructure and related capabilities.

In our comments, AAAE generally supported the administration’s vision for securing the United States continued superiority in space as outlined in the NSTP, which projects the number of commercial space operations to exceed 1,000 each year by 2030. However, given the significant growth expected, we emphasized that it is critical for FAA to proactively coordinate with airport operators and aviation stakeholders to minimize to the greatest extent possible any operational impacts caused by the creation of new spaceports or launch corridors. We also urged the FAA to ensure that any new launch corridors do not prioritize commercial space operations over traditional aviation operations, and that airport sponsors do not bear the financial burden for any necessary spaceport infrastructure development.

You read our comment letter here. We appreciate everyone who reviewed the FAA’s RFI and provided us with feedback for inclusion in the letter.

Background. In August, President Trump issued a memorandum that outlines the administration’s National Space Transportation Policy. One key component of the policy is to establish and maintain sufficient space launch and reentry infrastructure to support more than 1,000 launches and reentries each year by 2030. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) expects the industry to reach 10,000 launches and reentries annually by 2035. For perspective and according to the DOT, the United States was responsible for 217 of the 329 commercial space launches worldwide in 2025.

Under the policy, President Trump directed the DOT and FAA to take three specific actions: (a) identify potential locations for additional launch facilities and targeted development or improvement of launch infrastructure; (b) implement a plan to integrate space launch and reentry management into airspace and traffic control modernization efforts; and (c) designate priority airspace for critical space launch corridors. Shortly after the NSTP was released, the FAA released the RFI to help the agency implement the administration’s directives.

FAA’s RFI on Spaceports and Launch Corridors. The FAA’s RFI was intended solicit public and industry feedback on two elements of the NSTP. First, the FAA requested input regarding potential locations for new spaceports and noted that such spaceports would “ideally” be viable locations to complement or augment the many operations that already occur in California and Florida. Second, the FAA sought input regarding the considerations for developing priority airspace for critical space launch corridors, the ideal requisites for priority airspace, and how to differentiate standard airspace used for commercial space activities from priority airspace.

Overview of AAAE’s Comments. In our comment letter, AAAE urged the FAA to adhere to the following recommendations as the agency seeks to promote the development of new spaceport infrastructure and to designate critical space launch corridors:

The FAA should refrain from requiring any airport sponsor to support or accommodate any commercial space operations and/or become a licensed spaceport, either through grant assurances or by regulation;

The FAA should undergo a careful analysis to minimize operational impacts at existing airports and engage with nearby airport operators before permitting space launch and/or reentry operations at a new spaceport site;

The FAA and spaceport developers should consider all types of funding opportunities for spaceport development except for airport infrastructure grant programs, including the Airport Improvement Program and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act programs;

The FAA should carefully consider the potential for disruptive impacts and engage with the appropriate stakeholders before licensing additional spaceport infrastructure in the Southeast region’s congested airspace;

In designating launch corridors, the FAA should avoid “prioritizing” one segment of airspace users over another and instead “optimize” airspace management to ensure the most efficient use of the airspace in accordance with its statutory mandate;

The FAA should advance airspace optimization by leveraging lessons learned from the past decade on successfully managing impacts from increased commercial space operations, including the use of emerging technologies and only allowing operations in congested airspace if enough experience has been gained with the launch vehicle to reduce the size of the Aircraft Hazard Area to an appropriate level; and

The FAA should outline how the agency will manage the airspace and increased cadence of launch activity in a manner that minimizes to the greatest extent possible impacts on airport operations while formally engaging with key stakeholders.

What’s Next? The next steps for the FAA are unclear. Given that the RFI was simply a request for input and not a formal rulemaking, the agency does not have any obligations to respond to comments filed by AAAE and other stakeholders. Nevertheless, in an effort to minimize any operational impacts at airports, we will continue to engage with the administration and FAA on commercial space-related issues as they implement the NSTP and related policies.