The mission of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) is to ensure protection of the public, property, and the national security and foreign interests of the United States during commercial launch or reentry activities, and to encourage, facilitate, and promote U.S. commercial space transportation. Safety is AST's top priority. To meet its safety responsibilities, AST undertakes a variety of core business functions to ensure that uninvolved persons are protected from the hazards associated with commercial space launch operations. These functions include making license and experimental permit determinations, conducting inspections of licensed and experimental permit operations, and developing rulemaking products related to commercial launch activities. AST also reviews its processes for ensuring public safety regularly as the commercial space transportation industry evolves. With a focus on the rapid evolution and complexity of new launch vehicles, AST will lead agency efforts to develop new and improved approaches to evaluate and approve safetycritical launch vehicle components and systems. Further, AST will continue to leverage partnerships with other government organizations to enhance the safety of launches occurring from both federal and non-federal launch sites. In addition to ensuring public safety, AST enables industry through a variety of activities intended to encourage, facilitate and promote the growth of U.S. commercial space transportation. AST's core business functions in this area include activities such as performing environmental projects, publishing reports on industry developments and trends, hosting stakeholder forums, and supporting development of policies that enhance the global competitiveness of the U.S. commercial space launch industry. Further, AST takes great pride in delivering timely and reliable products that meet or exceed stakeholder requirements. AST is committed to working with its stakeholders to identify approaches that will render even greater service and satisfaction, as well as cost savings. Finally, AST's greatest resource is its dedicated staff. AST strives to ensure that all of its staff members are properly trained and prepared to perform at the highest levels.


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