SpaceX Seeks Fed Okay to Shake Up Rocket Vessel Tests
Published Date: 1/16/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Transportation is reviewing new special permit requests for safely handling hazardous materials during transport. Companies like Space Exploration Technologies want permission to test pressure vessels differently, which could affect trucks, trains, ships, and planes. If you have thoughts, send them by February 17, 2026—this could speed up or change how dangerous goods move, but no new fees are mentioned.
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 11 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Alternative testing for pressure vessels
Several applicants (e.g., Space Exploration Technologies, KWIK CGE, Hugen Brandbeveiliging, Insight NDT) asked to authorize alternative requalification or inspection methods—including acoustic emission testing, modal acoustic emission (MAE), and ultrasonic examination—in place of internal visual inspections and hydrostatic testing for DOT specification pressure vessels and cylinders. One application (Space Exploration Technologies, 22148-N) explicitly requests acoustic emission testing of DOT-pressure vessels every 10 years (modes 1,2,3,4,5).
Transport of untested prototype spacecraft batteries
Apex Technology (application 22149-N) asked for permission to transport an untested prototype battery contained in equipment (spacecraft) by motor vehicle (mode 1).
Non‑DOT specification cylinder production and sale
Zhejiang Rein Hytec Co., Ltd. (application 22151-N) applied to authorize the manufacture, marking, and sale of non‑DOT specification cylinders for transport in commerce (modes 1,2,3).
Alternate production and retest rules for steel drums
Greif Packaging (22152-N) requested authorization for an alternate production qualification protocol for manufacturing UN steel drums, and North Coast Container (22161-N) requested authorization to use UN 1A1 and UN 1A2 steel drums that had an alternative periodic retest performed (modes 1,2,3,4,5).
New packaging options for lithium batteries
Americase, LLC (22159-N) seeks authorization to manufacture, mark, sell, and use alternate packaging for the transportation of lithium‑ion batteries (modes 1,2,3), and Critical Mineral Recovery, Inc. (22163-N) requests authorization to transport fully deactivated, damaged lithium‑ion cells without inner packaging (modes 1,2,3).
Large-format lithium batteries by air cargo
Pipistrel D.O.O (22171-N) requested authorization to transport large‑format lithium‑ion batteries over 35 kg by cargo‑only aircraft (mode 4).
Portable tanks filled after requalification expiry
Syensqo USA LLC (22157-N) requested a one‑time authorization to transport portable tanks that were filled with hazardous materials after the expiration of the most recent periodic requalification (mode 1).
Rail transport of refrigerated liquid CO2
Chart Industries, Inc. (22172-N) requested authorization to transport refrigerated liquid carbon dioxide in a double‑wall tank car analogous to a DOT‑113 tank car (mode 2).
Non‑DOT containers for satellite compressed gases
Thales Alenia Space (22170-N) applied to authorize transportation in commerce of certain non‑DOT specification containers holding specific Division 2.2 and 2.3 compressed gases and other hazardous materials for use in specialty cooling and propulsion applications for satellites (modes 1,3,4).
Smaller lithium battery marking on packages
Amazon.com, Inc. (22153-N) and Walmart, Inc. (22158-N) asked to authorize transportation in commerce of packages using a smaller lithium battery mark; Amazon specifies a 25 mm x 25 mm mark with black hatching (modes 1,2,4,5 for Amazon; mode 1 for Walmart).
Transport of attached packagings on vehicles
Spire Missouri Inc. (22155-N) applied to authorize transportation in commerce of hazardous materials within non‑bulk and bulk packagings permanently attached to a transport vehicle (mode 1).
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