On May 11, 2016, the United States Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued an approval of a modification of a special permit to the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority (VCSFA) for the transport into commerce of hazardous materials in a non-DOT specification cylinders.
VCSFA operates and oversees the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS), a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-licensed spaceport located at the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) Wallops Flight Facility. VCSFA supports space launch operations delivering supplies to the International Space Station (ISS) using the highly advanced “Cygnus” spacecraft operated by Orbital Science Corporation.
The purpose of the special permit is to support VCSFA operations related to the remaining commercial space launches under NASA’s Commercial Operations to Station (“COTS”) Program and the newly approved missions under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services (“CRS”) contracts. The COTS and CRS programs fund commercial space operations that resupply the ISS and are designed to develop new space launch capacity within the United States.
In addition to the transport of latest export-controlled technology, this newly-modified permit allows for the transport of Helium as well as a Nitrogen Oxygen Recharge System Cylinder (NORS) to the launch pad via public roads.
“We are honored to continue our assistance to the VCSFA in support of its critical role in the area of commercial space and particularly in relation to the Orbital Science missions to resupply and promote research onboard the ISS,” said Roncevert Almond, partner at TWG. The Wicks Group (TWG) assisted VCSFA with obtaining an initial special permit in 2012.
TWG regularly assists private and public entities obtain permits, regulatory deviations, and special authorizations under the Federal hazmat law. For more information about TWG’s work related to Federal hazmat law and special permits, please contact Roncevert Almond (ralmond@wicks-group.com).