"FAA Mandates Pre-Launch Licensing for Reentry Vehicles"
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is updating its licensing regulations to require spacecraft designed to reenter to have a reentry license before launch, following an incident where Varda Space Industries launched a spacecraft without the necessary approvals to return. The FAA's decision is aimed at ensuring safety and preventing uncontrolled reentries, with the agency planning to clarify its policies around reentry and licensing requirements as commercial spacecraft reentries become more common.