Library

Here are a collection of links provided by the Spaceport Development Working Group. It is a developing page and is for convenience only. GSA is not responsible for any content provided by the links or their creators. 

Annual Reports and Impact Studies

Spaceport America – 2025

Economic Impact of Spaceport America 2019-2024

Economic Impact Study of Wallops Island Aerospace Cluster 2023

2024 Houston Airport System Economic Impact Study

Alaska Aerospace Corporation-2024 Annual Report

Tools

What are the first steps in creating a spaceport?
eCFR :: 14 CFR Part 420 — License to Operate a Launch Site (FAR Part 420)

Project Overview Planning Tool: This document contains the recommended information and structure for the applicant’s to facilitate planning for and development of a license application with the Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST). This document is intended for use by applicants seeking a new license for vehicle or site operations, or adding a location to a current vehicle operator license:   www.faa.gov.docx

https://www.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/regional-innovation-engines

FAA

Regulatory & Licensing

• FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST)
  https://www.faa.gov/space
   Licensing, regulations, and safety guidelines for U.S. spaceports and launch providers.
• Part 450 Launch and Reentry Licensing Requirements
  https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-III/part-450
   The most current launch and reentry licensing framework.
• Part 420 Spaceport Site Licensing
  https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-III/part-420
• NASA Launch Services Program (LSP)
  https://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets
  
• FCC Licensing for Space-Based Communications
  https://www.fcc.gov/space-innovation
• Licensing Process Flowchart (FAA AST)
  https://www.faa.gov/media/74736/download
  Visual guide to the FAA launch licensing steps, including pre-application, application, and approval.
• FAA Launch Site Licensing Requirements Guide (PDF) https://www.faa.gov/media/74739/download
  Explains land use, site compatibility, safety zones, and FAA review processes.
• FAA Environmental Review for Spaceports
  https://www.faa.gov/space/environmental
   NEPA requirements, EIS, and EA processes for launch site development.

Key Technical & Safety Documents

• System Safety Process for Commercial Launches
  https://www.faa.gov/media/74737/download
   Guidance for hazard analysis, risk mitigation, and system safety engineering.
• Environmental Review Process for Spaceports and Launch Sites
  https://www.faa.gov/space/environmental
   NEPA review, Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), and Environmental Assessments (EA).
• Launch Collision Avoidance (COLA) and Conjunction Analysis
  https://www.space-track.org (account required)
   Used to avoid on-orbit collisions during launch windows.

Operational Stages of a Launch Campaign

• NASA’s Launch Readiness Process (Simplified Overview)
  https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/kennedy/launchingrockets/
   High-level overview of mission design, pre-launch testing, and countdown activities.
• Launch Range Safety Process – 45th Space Wing (U.S. Space Force)
  https://www.patrick.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Article/329476/45th-space-wing-range-safety/
   Details safety protocols for Cape Canaveral launches.
• Commercial Spaceflight Technical Reports (NASA)
  https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search?q=launch%20vehicle%20mission%20planning
   Mission planning documents including integration and flight ops.

   

Planning and Economic Development Resources

• Global Spaceport Alliance (GSA) – Spaceport Resource Center https://www.globalspaceportalliance.com/resources
  Includes best practices, case studies, economic impact reports, and workforce development guidance.
• NASA Spaceport Development History (KSC + VAFB)
  https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/kennedy/launch-complexes/
  A look at how historical complexes were built and adapted.
• Center for Space Commerce & Finance – Economic Models for Spaceport Investment
  https://spacefinance.org (resources vary; site under periodic revamp)

Technical and Safety Design Resources

• Launch Range Safety Requirements (AFSPCMAN 91-710)
  https://www.spaceforce.mil/Portals/1/Documents/AFSPCMAN91-710.pdf (archived, but still a solid reference)
  Applicable for ranges like Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg.
• NIST Building Codes & Infrastructure for Resiliency
  https://www.nist.gov/topics/building-codes-and-standards
  Can support structural resilience planning. 

International Processes

• UK Civil Aviation Authority – Space Launch Licensing
  https://www.caa.co.uk/commercial-spaceflight/licensing/
   For UK-based launches and spaceport operations.

• Australian Space Agency – Launch Licensing Guide
  https://www.space.gov.au/launch-facility-licence

• ESA Launch Campaign Handbook (European Spaceport – CNES)
  https://www.cnes.fr/en/ariane-5-launch-campaign
   (for legacy reference to European launch processes)

Spaceport & Launch Industry Resources

• Commercial Space Transportation: FAA Annual Reports
  https://www.faa.gov/data_research/commercial_space_data/
• Space Foundation: Space Report (subscription-based)
  https://www.thespacereport.org
  
• Euroconsult Space Economy Reports (market insights)
  https://www.euroconsult-ec.com
  

Policy & Frameworks

• The Washington Compact (The Hague Institute for Global Justice)
  https://www.thehagueinstitute.org (direct link may vary)
   Framework for responsible spaceport behavior and collaboration.
• Artemis Accords
  https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis-accords/index.html
  
• United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
  https://www.unoosa.org
   Treaties and principles governing outer space activities.
• European Union Space
  https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-space_en  

Educational & Research Tools

• NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
  https://ntrs.nasa.gov
  
• Spaceport America Resources
  https://www.spaceportamerica.com
  
• Space Launch System (SLS) Info – NASA
  https://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/index.html
  

International Links

• European Spaceport (Guiana Space Centre)
  https://csg.cnes.fr/en
• UK Space Agency – Regulations & Spaceports
  https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-space-agency
• Australian Space Agency
  https://www.space.gov.au
  
• Canadian Spaceport Regulations (Transport Canada)
  https://tc.canada.ca/en/initiatives/space-launch
  
  

U.S. Human Spaceflight Regulatory Framework

FAA Human Spaceflight Licensing and Regulations

• FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation – Human Spaceflight
  https://www.faa.gov/space/human-spaceflight
   Core page for regulations, safety guidelines, and licensing of commercial human spaceflight.
• 14 CFR Part 460 – Human Spaceflight Requirements
  https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-III/part-460
   Covers crew qualifications, medical fitness, training, and informed consent for spaceflight participants.
• Passenger and Crew Safety Guidance (FAA AST)
  https://www.faa.gov/media/212586
   Risk disclosures, training, safety briefings, and emergency procedures.
  
  
  

Pre-Flight Planning & Risk Management

• Launch and Reentry License Application Guide (FAA)
  https://www.faa.gov/media/74736/download
   Includes required steps for human launch vehicle operations.
• Environmental Review for Crewed Missions (NEPA Process)
  https://www.faa.gov/space/environmental
   Environmental assessments for human-rated launch sites.
• NASA Human Rating Requirements (NASA-STD-3001)
  https://www.nasa.gov/hhp/standards
   Design and safety requirements for human-rated spacecraft (NASA missions).

   

Commercial Human Spaceflight Operators

• SpaceX Human Spaceflight Overview
  https://www.spacex.com/human-spaceflight
   Includes Crew Dragon information and past missions like Inspiration4 and Axiom.
• Axiom Space – Private Astronaut Missions
  https://www.axiomspace.com/missions
• Blue Origin – Human Flights (New Shepard)
  https://www.blueorigin.com/new-shepard/
• Virgin Galactic – Suborbital Space Tourism
  https://www.virgingalactic.com
  

International Human Spaceflight Links

• International Space Station – Crew Transportation Guidelines (NASA)
  https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/crew/index.html
  
• ESA Human and Robotic Exploration
  https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration
• Roscosmos Human Spaceflight
  https://www.roscosmos.ru/21947/ (in Russian)
• JAXA Human Spaceflight and ISS Participation
  https://www.global.jaxa.jp/projects/iss_human/

CMMC

CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) requirements — essential for spaceports, launch providers, and any contractor or subcontractor handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD):

Official CMMC Resources

• CMMC Program Website – DoD Chief Information Officer
  https://dodcio.defense.gov/CMMC/
  The official CMMC page from the DoD CIO. Includes model versions, implementation timelines, FAQs, and program updates.

Framework and Documentation

• CMMC Model Version 2.0 Overview
  https://dodcio.defense.gov/CMMC/About/Model/Version-20/
  Explains the updated three-level structure of CMMC 2.0 and alignment with NIST 800-171.
• CMMC Assessment Guides (Levels 1 and 2)
  https://dodcio.defense.gov/CMMC/Assessment-Process/Assessment-Guides/

  Downloadable guides that outline how to prepare for and conduct assessments

• NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2
  https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/sp/800-171/rev-2/final
  This is the foundation for CMMC Level 2 — 110 security controls for protecting CUI.
  

Compliance Tools and Resources

• Project Spectrum (DoD Compliance Resource)
  https://www.projectspectrum.io
  Free tools, training, and templates to help small and mid-sized businesses become compliant.
• Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) – DoD Entry Point for Self-Assessment Scores
  https://www.sprs.csd.disa.mil/
  Where DoD contractors submit their NIST 800-171 self-assessment scores.

Accreditation & Certification

• Cyber AB (formerly CMMC-AB) – Accreditation Body
  https://cyberab.org/
  Lists certified third-party assessment organizations (C3PAOs), training partners, and updates from the ecosystem.