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

Other important reports

NASA’s IG report – 

NASA’s Launch Infrastructure

Tools

FAA Spaceport Licensing Primer
by The Aerospace Corporation

Risk from reentering space debris – FAA report
by The Aerospace Corporation
“The report informs Congress of ways that the FAA’s launch and reentry licensing process may be leveraged to address the risk from reentering space debris.”

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

New FAA Orders

• Space Launch and Reentry Licensing and Permitting User Fees

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.