Code of Federal Regulations (Last Updated: May 6, 2024) |
Title 14 - Aeronautics and Space |
Chapter III - Commercial Space Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation |
SubChapter C - Licensing |
Part 417 - Launch Safety |
Subpart B - Launch Safety Responsibilities |
§ 417.129 - Safety at end of launch.
Latest version.
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§ 417.129 Safety at end of launch.
A launch operator must ensure for any proposed launch that for all launch vehicle stages or components that reach Earth orbit -
(a) There is no unplanned physical contact between the vehicle or any of its components and the payload after payload separation;
(b) Debris generation does not result from the conversion of energy sources into energy that fragments the vehicle or its components. Energy sources include chemical, pressure, and kinetic energy; and
(c) Stored energy is removed by depleting residual fuel and leaving all fuel line valves open, venting any pressurized system, leaving all batteries in a permanent discharge state, and removing any remaining source of stored energy.