Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority's / MARS
On July 27, 2007, E'Prime Aerospace Corporation selected Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority's FAA Licensed Launch site, MARS, as the primary location for its planned canister launch activities. "We look forward to working with E'Prime Aerospace during the development and demonstration of your (E'Prime's) space launch vehicle and support systems. We will provide our technical expertise and technologies in the areas of launch site facilities and operations and launch range operations to E'Prime's development effort...," wrote Billie M. Reed, Ph.D. Executive Director.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA/AST)
On August 9, 2007, E'Prime Aerospace Corporation began the formal launch license process by entering the 'Expendable Launch Vehicle Pre-Application Consultation' phase of the licensing process at FAA. E'Prime seeks a launch/reentry specific license which authorizes you to conduct one or more launches or reentries having the same operational parameters of one type of launch or reentry vehicle operating at one launch or reentry site. The license identifies, by name or mission, each activity authorized under the license. Your authorization to operate terminates when you complete all launches or reentries authorized by the license or the expiration date stated in the license, whichever occurs first. The specific Application Procedures are described in 14 CFR Part 413.

"The MARS launch site is conveniently situated to our corporate office now located in the Metropolitan DC area. The selection of a launch site is a major step forward and application for a launch license establishes E'Prime's intentions with the FAA and our customers, both commercial and government," stated E'Prime President, James D Oldham.

On August 24, 2007, in accordance to the requirements described in 14 CFR Part 420.15(a)(3), E'Prime Aerospace Corporation submitted the Policy Review document 415.25 for launch license to FAA/AST License and Safety Division. The Policy Review and Approval, 415.25, identifies the model and configuration of any launch vehicle proposed for launch; flight azimuths, trajectories, and associated ground tracks and impact points; identifies structural, pneumatics, propulsion, electrical and avionics systems used in the launch vehicle and all propellants. A major element of the policy review is the interagency evaluation of the proposal. An interagency review allows government agencies to examine the proposed operation from their unique perspectives.

The following steps represent a top-level view of the complete license application process:

-- Pre-Application Consultation

-- Policy Review and Approval

-- Safety Review and Approval

-- Payload Review and Determination

-- Financial Responsibility Determination

-- Environmental Review

-- Compliance Monitoring (post-issuance of license)

"With the assistance of the Office of Commercial Space (FAA/AST) and our associated service contractors and consultants, our team will complete the licensing process as quickly as possible. With the Policy review submitted, our focus is now on developing our launch facility at MARS and the infrastructure to support our canister launch program," stated E'Prime President, James D Oldham.

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Related Links
E'Prime Aerospace Corporation
Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport
Launch Pad at Space-Travel.com

Add to Delicious