NASA Procedures and Guidelines
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NPR 8715.5 Eff. Date: July 08, 2005 Cancellation Date: September 17, 2010	Range Safety Program
| TOC | Preface | Chapter1 | Chapter2 | Chapter3 | AppendixA | AppendixB | ALL |

CHAPTER 2. Unique Range Safety Policies and Requirements

2.1 Introduction

Unique range safety policies and requirements may apply to range operations depending on the location of the operation or the participation of other entities. This chapter identifies unique range safety policies and requirements for range operations that involve commercial launch and entry service providers, the National Airspace System, and participation by foreign entities.

2.2 Commercial Launch and Entry

2.2.1 The FAA has the authority to oversee, license, and regulate commercial launch and entry activities and the operation of launch and landing sites as carried out by United States citizens or within the United States. The FAA licenses commercial launches/entries and commercial launch and landing sites. A NASA program may involve any combination of licensed or unlicensed activity at a licensed or unlicensed site. For example, a licensed commercial launch may take place from a licensed site or from a NASA or DoD range which does not require a license. Conversely, a government launch that is not licensed by the FAA may take place from an FAA licensed site. The FAA licensing regulations are contained in 14 CFR "Parts 400-1199" Commercial Space Transportation.

2.2.2 A NASA launch or entry does not require an FAA license if the activity is conducted by or for NASA and NASA is so substantially involved that it effectively directs or controls the activity. For such a launch or entry, NASA shall:

a. Supervise the activities of each contractor providing a launch or entry service by approval of requirements and ongoing insight into the contractor's operations (Requirement 42731).

b. Ensure that a government organization directly oversees and performs the range safety function during the activity (Requirement 42732).

2.2.3 A NASA program may require FAA licensing for commercial ventures funded by NASA or a commercial launch or entry carrying a NASA payload (as a primary customer) through a contract.

2.2.4 A NASA program shall require FAA licensing for any launch or entry where there is no government organization directly overseeing and performing the range safety function during the activity (Requirement 42734).

2.3 National Airspace System

This paragraph applies to each NASA program that uses the National Airspace System during conduct of a range operation.

2.3.1 A NASA program shall coordinate with the FAA on each range operation that uses the National Airspace System, including each launch and entry (Requirement 42736).

2.3.2 A NASA program shall obtain a Certificate of Authorization or equivalent written agreement from the FAA for each UAV operation within the National Airspace System (Requirement 42737).

2.3.3 A NASA program shall coordinate the required information with range safety personnel prior to submitting the request to the FAA center(s) with authority over the planned areas of operation (Requirement 42738).

2.4 Foreign Participation in Range Operations Involving NASA

A foreign entity may participate with NASA in a range operation within the United States or at a foreign location. A NASA mission may require the use of a foreign range or airspace, for example, as an alternate landing site, primary landing site, contingency landing site, or the site of a launch or environmental research mission.

2.4.1 Foreign participation in any range operation involving NASA shall require prior coordination with the NASA Office of External Relations and be conducted in accordance with this NPR; NPD 1360.2, Initiation and Development of International Cooperation in Space and Aeronautics Programs; and NPD 1050.1, Authority To Enter Into Space Act Agreements (Requirement 42740).

2.4.2 Foreign participation in any Range Operation involving NASA, which requires access to NASA Installations or Facilities, shall also be conducted in accordance with paragraph 2.4.1 of this NPR; NPR 1371.2, Procedural Requirements for Processing Requests for Access to NASA Installations or Facilities by Foreign Nationals or U.S. Citizens Who are Representatives of Foreign Entities; and/or NPD 1371.5, Coordination and Authorization of Access by Foreign Nationals and Foreign Representatives to NASA (Requirement 42741).

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