On Thursday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it has set a new record, overseeing 148 licensed space operations in Fiscal Year 2024—a 30 percent jump from last year.
Minor nit, but the picture chosen for this article is of a non-commercial launch (NASA Ares test flight) which would not be subject to these license regulations. A more appropriate image would have been of a SpaceX or Boeing Starliner launch.
It probably should be noted that about 130 of those launches were done SpaceX including several tests of the StarShip, the most powerful rocket ever built.
SpaceX is the future of the American led space launch industry.
Maybe the image has already been changed. What is being shown currently is a SpaceX Starship.
Hey, how about that! Looks like the AvWeb team is reading our comments.
I find it interesting that the FAA is patting itself on the back for “promoting” the development of the civilian rocket industry. The original FAA charter contained both the oversight of aircraft design and operation to assure safe operation, AND the directive to promote and foster the continued development of new aircraft. Years ago, they made it plain that their work would only be to oversee the design and operation for safety, and they dropped the “promote” aircraft development part. I suspect that if you asked the people and companies involved in civil rocket development, they might have a different opinion on how well that FAA “help” is working.
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