WASHINGTON – A crucial defense bill making its way through Congress includes provisions that would extend a “learning period” limiting regulations on commercial human spaceflight, as well as provide continued indemnification for commercial launches.
The final version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2025,released on December 7th by House and Senate negotiators,contains these key extensions within its 1,813 pages. The bill now awaits final approval from both chambers.
One notable provision extends the so-called “learning period,” which currently restricts the Federal Aviation Governance’s (FAA) ability to impose safety regulations on passengers aboard commercial human spacecraft.Originally set to expire on January 1st, this restriction would be pushed back to the end of 2027 under the NDAA.
Another extension pertains to launch indemnification. Federal law mandates that launch licensees demonstrate financial obligation, typically through insurance, for third-party damages up to a predetermined maximum probable loss amount set by the FAA.Should damages exceed this amount, the government would cover the remaining claims up to a considerably higher limit.
This indemnification, originally scheduled to expire at the end of September 2025, would be extended through September 2028 under the NDAA. The Senate version of the bill, introduced in September, included both the learning period and indemnification extensions.
“We really need to get the learning period extension passed,” David Cavossa, president of the Commercial Space Federation, emphasized in a recent interview. He expressed optimism that the extension would be included in the final NDAA.
The extension of the learning period was a top priority for the commercial space industry, given its imminent expiration. initially enacted in 2004 with an intended duration of eight years, it has been repeatedly extended, ranging from months to several years at a time. The industry argues that it hasn’t yet accumulated sufficient experience to develop best practices that could inform regulations.
The three-year extension represents a compromise for the industry, which had sought a longer extension. The House Science Committee approved a commercial space bill last November that would have extended the learning period to October 2031. A Senate bill introduced in March proposed a five-year extension. Neither bill progressed further.
The FAA, though, has advocated for allowing the learning period, which it refers to as a moratorium, to expire. The agency maintains that it is actively laying the groundwork for safety regulations for passengers on commercial space vehicles. It asserts that developing these regulations through standard rulemaking processes would take several years, even after the expiration of the learning period.
“We’ve been doing all we can to prepare for the sunset of the moratorium,” Minh Nguyen, executive director of strategic planning at the FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation, stated at a conference in February. “Our position is that we should be ready to regulate when the moratorium sunsets.”
The NDAA’s passage would provide the commercial space industry with much-needed regulatory certainty, allowing it to continue its rapid growth and innovation.
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## Counting Down to Launch: Are Loopholes in Space Tourism safety Regulations Putting Passengers at Risk?
**World Today News Exclusive Interview with Dr. Amelia Chandra, Aerospace Safety Expert**
**World Today News:** The newly unveiled National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes provisions extending regulations limiting safety oversight of commercial human spaceflights.
Dr. Chandra, what are your thoughts on pushing back the expiration date of the FAA’s “learning period” until the end of 2027?
**Dr. Chandra:** This decision is concerning. While the concept of a “learning period” aims to foster innovation in the burgeoning commercial spaceflight industry, extending it indefinitely without a clear roadmap for implementing robust safety regulations sends a worrying message. Passengers deserve safe passage, and unnecessarily delaying crucial oversight measures could jeopardize thier well-being.
**World Today News:**
Could you elaborate on the potential risks associated with a prolonged “learning period”?
**Dr. Chandra:** Firstly,the FAA’s ability to effectively address emerging safety concerns will be hampered. As new technologies and operational procedures are introduced, a lack of timely regulations could lead to unforeseen hazards and perhaps catastrophic incidents.
Secondly, public perception and trust in commercial spaceflights could be eroded. The prospect of insufficient oversight might deter potential passengers, hindering the industry’s growth in the long run.
**World Today news:**
This NDAA also continues indemnification for commercial launches. What are your concerns regarding this provision?
**Dr. Chandra:** While indemnification can provide a safety net for companies, it shouldn’t absolve them from demonstrating a commitment to rigorous safety standards. Continued indemnification without emphasizing accountability could encourage a culture of complacency and potentially lead to reckless practices.
**World Today News:** What are some crucial steps that should be taken to strike a balance between fostering innovation and ensuring passenger safety in the commercial spaceflight industry?
**Dr. Chandra:** The key lies in establishing a clear and obvious regulatory framework. This entails:
* **setting a definitive timeline for the “learning period” with milestones for demonstrating safety protocols.**
* **Implementing a robust, evidence-based approach to developing regulations, considering data from ongoing operations and international best practices.**
* **Encouraging collaboration between the FAA,industry stakeholders,and independant experts to ensure regulations are both effective and realistic. **
* **Establishing clear protocols for accident investigation and accountability to maintain public trust and drive continuous betterment. **
**World Today News:**
Thank you, Dr. Chandra, for sharing your valuable insights.
