# 2026-19178: FAA Greenlights Ocean Spacecraft Splashes? Comment on Reentry Rules Now 2026-19178, Notice of Availability, Notice of Public Comment Period, and Request for Comment on the Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Reentry Vehicle Operations in the Marine Environment, is a Federal Register notice from Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration published 2026-09-18, effective The public comment period for the Draft PEA will close on October 19, 2026.; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-25). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19178 - As of: 2026-09-25 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-19178 - Title: Notice of Availability, Notice of Public Comment Period, and Request for Comment on the Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Reentry Vehicle Operations in the Marine Environment - Type: Notice - Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Aviation Administration - Citation: 91 FR 59294 - Published: 2026-09-18 - Effective: The public comment period for the Draft PEA will close on October 19, 2026. - Comments close: 2026-10-19 - Significant: no - Touches household money: yes - Regulation identifier numbers: none - Last updated: 2026-09-25 ## In one line FAA Greenlights Ocean Spacecraft Splashes? Comment on Reentry Rules Now ## Summary The FAA is asking for your thoughts on a new plan to safely manage space vehicles coming back to Earth over the ocean. This plan affects companies that operate these reentry vehicles and includes new rules to protect the environment and keep airspace safe. You have until October 19, 2026, to share your comments, and this could speed up approvals without extra costs. ## Abstract In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), DOT Order 5610.1D, DOT's Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts, and FAA Order 1050.1G, FAA National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures, FAA is announcing the availability of and requesting comment on the Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Reentry Vehicle Operations in the Marine Environment (Draft PEA). FAA is also requesting comment on proposed new categorical exclusions (CATEXs) as described in and substantiated by the Draft PEA. ## Effects PRIA read - Submit Comments by Oct 19, 2026: benefit, low. You can review the Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) at https://www.faa.gov/space/environmental/nepa_docs and submit comments to Docket No. FAA-2026-10264. The public comment period closes on October 19, 2026; comments can be sent electronically via regulations.gov or by mail to Nic… - PEA Covers Marine Reentry Licenses and Airspace Closures: mixed, low. The FAA prepared a Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment that evaluates environmental impacts of issuing vehicle operator licenses or experimental permits authorizing reentry operations in the marine environment. FAA's federal actions evaluated in the PEA include issuing licenses or permits a… - Three Proposed Categorical Exclusions (CATEXs): mixed, medium. FAA proposes three categorical exclusions to be added to FAA Order 1050.1G, Appendix B-2.2: (1) issuing vehicle operator licenses or experimental permits for reentry operations within the scope described in Chapter 2 of the PEA where operations occur within the PEA study area and the applicant's an… - FAA Cites Prior EAs and FONSI Findings: benefit, low. FAA states that, consistent with CEQ guidance dated April 9, 2026, it analyzed previously implemented reentry operations in multiple NEPA documents and determined there would not be significant impacts; each prior environmental assessment (EA) resulted in a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI),… ## Related documents - [2026-15585](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-15585): Requirements for Interference-Tolerant Radio Altimeter Systems, 2026-07-31 - [2026-13440](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-13440): Enabling Supersonic Overland Flight, 2026-07-02 - [2026-13126](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-13126): Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility; Extension of Comment Period, 2026-06-30 - [2026-08943](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08943): Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility, 2026-05-06 - [2025-04846](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-04846): Extension of the Prohibition Against Certain Flights in the Territory and Airspace of Libya, 2025-03-20 - [2025-03853](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-03853): Enforcement Policy Regarding “Drug and Alcohol Testing of Certificated Repair Station Employees Located Outside of the United States; Corre…, 2025-03-11 ## Sources - [2026-19178 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/18/2026-19178/notice-of-availability-notice-of-public-comment-period-and-request-for-comment-on-the-draft) - [2026-19178 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-09-18/pdf/2026-19178.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-19176, Combined Notice of Filings #1](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19176) - [Next: 2026-19179, Combined Notice of Filings](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19179) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19178 (as of 2026-09-25).