The FAA yesterday issued its first license permitting the reentry to earth of a privately developed spacecraft to the Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) The Space X Dragon space capsule will launch atop their Falcon 9 rocket on December 7 and return to earth. While initially unmanned, the mission is a precursor to NASA and SpaceX efforts to eventually provide commercial trips to the International Space Station with cargo and crew, the FAA stated in a press release.
The FAA is responsible for regulating and licensing U.S. private companies and individuals involved in commercial space transportation. To date, the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation has licensed over 200 successful launches.
In Washington, NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden said, “Congratulations to the SpaceX team for receiving the Federal Aviation Administration’s first-ever commercial license to reenter a spacecraft from Earth orbit.”
Neither entity said where the vehicles would launch from, but Craig Airport is a licensed spaceport.
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