In today’s new era of commercial spaceflight, spaceports are no longer just in locales that first became known to the public through launches broadcast on the nightly news.
Launches by private companies such as SpaceX, Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic have shifted operations away from exclusive control by NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and Vandenberg Space Force Base. Among other developments, this has moved the aeronautics and space industry away from traditional government oversight and toward standards that sharpen the focus on design of sites that keep crews, payloads and surrounding neighbors safe.
Once, the traditional launch sites relied on specific codes and procedures that were tailored to their vehicles and geography. Now, as new spaceports enter the mix, the need for operational code guidance is greatly increased.
Evolution of Standards
For the emerging class of commercial spaceports, the guiding standard is NFPA 461: Standard for Fire Protection and Life Safety at Spaceport and Support Facilities. The standard originates from a 2018 Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF) literature review, which revealed that no uniform fire or life safety code existed for large-scale launches outside of NASA’s standards.
In response, NASA asked the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to convene to form a standard that would fill this regulatory gap for large-scale commercial spaceport operations.
NFPA formed the technical committee on spaceports, consisting of specialists, enforcement authorities, end users, insurance providers and manufacturers. Over the course of five years, the committee convened and drafted NFPA 461, which was released in May 2025.
Scope of the Standard
NFPA 461 Standard for Fire Protection and Life Safety at Spaceport and Support Facilities specifically addresses complex risks and specialized safety needs in spaceports. These include:
NFPA 461 combats these risks and needs through a framework that covers Siting Analysis, Facility Hazard Analysis and Operational Procedures. There are several key features specified within these three elements that industry now must follow:
The Siting Analysis for both planned and existing facilities should allow for:
The Facility Hazard Analysis must cover:
Operational Procedure Documentation should cover these details:
Multiuser Launch Site Conversions
With the evolution of spaceport safety standards, bridging old and new launch facilities creates certain challenges. As commercial space launches increase, developers are increasingly looking at modernizing legacy sites for multiuser access due to the enormous cost of building new greenfield facilities. No matter which direction is taken, a renewed focus on safety standards is required, due to factors like advanced propulsion systems and increased launch frequencies.
From providing a safe spaceport through occupant protection, structural integrity and exposure protection, the process of retrofitting or building all-new facilities requires deep technical knowledge and a future-focused safety mindset.
Looking Ahead
NFPA 461 is a living document, subject to updates on a three-year revision cycle. The standard has been under development since 2018, when NASA first submitted a request to NFPA to explore creating comprehensive spaceport construction and operation standards. The technical committee has been working through multiple draft meetings, including 2023 sessions held in Cocoa Beach, Florida, to develop the forthcoming comprehensive requirements.
With the next edition expected in 2029, the committee will meet over the next several years to develop revisions. They will identify necessary improvements and determine what needs to be added as spaceports develop.
Whether the next launch is a satellite or a crew headed for lunar orbit, NFPA 461 provides the road map to take off with confidence.