(a) To gain approval for a launch site location, an applicant shall demonstrate that for each launch point proposed for the launch site, at least one type of expendable or reusable launch vehicle can be flown from the launch point safely. For purposes of the launch site location review:
(1) A safe launch must possess a risk level estimated, in accordance with the requirements of this part, not to exceed an expected number of 1 × 10−4 casualties (Ec) to the collective members of the public exposed to hazards from the flight.
(2) Types of launch vehicles include orbital expendable launch vehicles, guided sub-orbital expendable launch vehicles, unguided sub-orbital expendable launch vehicles, and reusable launch vehicles. Orbital expendable launch vehicles are further classified by weight class, based on the weight of payload the launch vehicle can place in a 100-nm orbit, as defined in table 1.
(b) If an applicant proposes to have more than one type of launch vehicle flown from a launch point, the applicant shall demonstrate that each type of expendable or reusable launch vehicle planned to be flown from the launch point can be flown from the launch point safely.
(c) If an applicant proposes to have more than one weight class of orbital expendable launch vehicles flown from a launch point, the applicant shall demonstrate that the heaviest weight class planned to be flown from the launch point can be flown from the launch point safely.
Table 1 of § 420.19 - Orbital Expendable Launch Vehicle Classes by Payload Weight (lbs)
| 100 nm orbit | Weight class | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | Medium | Medium large | Large | |
| 28 degrees inclination * | ≤4400 | >4400 to ≤11100 | >11100 to ≤18500 | >18500 |
| 90 degrees inclination | ≤3300 | >3300 to ≤8400 | >8400 to ≤15000 | >15000 |
[Docket No. FAA-1999-5833, 65 FR 62861, Oct. 19, 2000, as amended by Docket No. FAA-2014-0418, Amdt. No. 420-7, 81 FR 47026, July 20, 2016]