14 CFR § 450.185 - Ground hazard analysis.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t14/s450.185"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "14 CFR § 450.185 - Ground hazard analysis."
title_number: 14
title_name: "Aeronautics and Space"
section_number: "450.185"
section_name: "Ground hazard analysis."
chapter_name: "COMMERCIAL SPACE TRANSPORTATION, FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "LICENSING"
part_number: "450"
part_name: "LAUNCH AND REENTRY LICENSE REQUIREMENTS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "51 U.S.C. 50901-50923."
regulatory_source: "Docket No. FAA-2019-0229, Amdt. 450-2, 85 FR 79719, Dec. 10, 202085 FR 79739, Dec. 10, 2020, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "450"
---


# 450.185 Ground hazard analysis.

An operator must perform and document a ground hazard analysis, and continue to maintain it throughout the lifecycle of the launch or reentry system. The analysis must—

(a) *Hazard identification.* Identify system and operation hazards posed by the vehicle and ground hardware, including site and ground support equipment. Hazards identified must include the following:

(1) System hazards, including:

(i) Vehicle over-pressurization;

(ii) Sudden energy release, including ordnance actuation;

(iii) Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation;

(iv) Fire or deflagration;

(v) Radioactive materials;

(vi) Toxic release;

(vii) Cryogens;

(viii) Electrical discharge; and

(ix) Structural failure.

(2) Operation hazards, including:

(i) Propellant handling and loading;

(ii) Transporting of vehicle or vehicle components;

(iii) Vehicle testing; and

(iv) Vehicle or system activation.

(b) *Hazard assessment.* Assess each hazard's likelihood and severity.

(c) *Risk acceptability criteria.* Ensure that the risk associated with each hazard meets the following criteria:

(1) The likelihood of any hazardous condition that may cause death or serious injury to the public must be extremely remote; and

(2) The likelihood of any hazardous condition that may cause major damage to property not associated with the launch or reentry must be remote.

(d) *Risk mitigation.* Identify and describe the risk elimination and mitigation measures required to satisfy paragraph (c) of this section.

(e) *Validation and verification.* Document that the risk elimination and mitigation measures achieve the risk levels of paragraph (c) of this section through validation and verification. Verification includes:

(1) Analysis;

(2) Test;

(3) Demonstration; or

(4) Inspection.

(f) *Application requirements.* An applicant must submit—

(1) A description of the methodology used to perform the ground hazard analysis;

(2) A list of all systems and operations that may cause a hazard involving the vehicle or any payload; and

(3) The ground hazard analysis products of paragraphs (a) through (e) of this section, including data that verifies the risk elimination and mitigation measures.