14 CFR §450.163
Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
- (a)Lightning hazard mitigation. An operator must—
- (1)Establish flight commit criteria that mitigate the potential for a launch or reentry vehicle intercepting or initiating a direct lightning strike, or encountering a nearby discharge, using a means of compliance accepted by the Administrator; or
- (2)Use a vehicle designed to protect safety-critical systems in the event of a direct lightning strike or nearby discharge.
- (b)Application requirements.
- (1)An applicant electing to comply with paragraph (a)(1) of this section must submit flight commit criteria that mitigate the potential for a launch or reentry vehicle intercepting or initiating a direct lightning strike, or encountering a nearby lightning discharge.
- (2)An applicant electing to comply with paragraph (a)(2) of this section must submit documentation providing evidence that the vehicle is designed to protect safety-critical systems against the effects of a direct lightning strike or nearby discharge.