OMB Approves FAA Space Launch Waiver NPRM

Yesterday, the OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) announced that it had approved a notice of proposed rulemaking from the FAA on “Waiver of Specified Statutory Requirements for Commercial Space Launch and Reentry Actions”. The NPRM was sent to OIRA on July 7th, 2026.  

This rulemaking was not listed in the just published 2026 Unified Agenda. The rule would almost certainly amend 14 CFR Part 450. Launch and Reentry License Requirements. That Part does not currently include language that deals with the issue of license waivers. Waivers are authorized under 51 USC 50905(b)(3), but that paragraph specifically prohibits the FAA from issuing a waiver “that would permit the launch or reentry of a launch vehicle or a reentry vehicle without a license or permit if a human being will be on board.” 

I expect that the NPRM will be published in the Federal Register in the next week or so. I will almost certainly not provide any detailed coverage of this rulemaking. Under my limited Space Geek coverage, I would, however, expect to announce its publication in the appropriate Short Takes post. 

Review – Bills Introduced – 7-18-26

On Saturday, with neither the House nor Senate in session, there were five bills introduced. One of those bills will receive additional coverage in this blog: 

• HR 9770 Making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2027, and for other purposes. Cole, Tom [Rep.-R-OK-4]   

For more information on these bills, including legislative history for similar bills in the 118th Congress, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/bills-introduced-7-18-26 - subscription required. 

CISA Adds 2 FortiGuard Vulnerabilities to KEV Catalog – 7-16-26

Yesterday, CISA announced that it had added two OS command injection vulnerabilities in the FortiGuard FortiSandbox product to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. 

CVE-2026-25089 – This vulnerability was previously reported by FortiGuard in June. FortiGuard has new versions that mitigate the vulnerability. 

CVE-2026-39808 – This vulnerability was previously reported by FortiGuard in April. FortiGuard has a new version that mitigates the vulnerability. The vulnerability was originally reported by Samuel de Lucas Maroto from KPMG Spain. Proof-of-concept code was published by Samu DeLucas on April 15th, 2026. 

CISA has directed federal agencies using the FortiSandbox product to apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements”. Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines. A compliance deadline of July 19th, 2026 has been established. 

Chemical Transportation Incidents – Week of 6-13-26

Reporting Background 

See this post for explanation, with the most recent update here (removed from paywall). 

Data from PHMSA’s online database of transportation related chemical incidents that have been reported to the agency. 

Incidents Summary  

• Number of incidents – 559 (515 highway, 42 air, 2 rail, 0 water) 

• Serious incidents – 6 (5 Bulk release, 0 evacuation, 0 injury, 0 death, 0 major artery closed, 2 fire/explosion, 58 no release)  

• Largest container involved – 24,387-gal DOT 117J100W Railcar {Gasoline Includes Gasoline Mixed with Ethyl Alcohol, with Not More Than 10% Alcohol} Manway bolt not tool tight. 

• Largest amount spilled – 21,250-gal DOT 111A100W1 Railcar {Elevated Temperature Liquid, N.O.S., At or Above 100 C And Below Its Flash Point (Including Molten Metals, Molten Salts, Etc.)} Derailment during switching operations punctured tank. 

• Total amount reported spilled in all incidents – 3305.7-gal 

NOTE: Links above are to Form 5800.1 for the incident described. 

Most Interesting Chemical: Potassium Permanganate: A purplish colored crystalline solid. Noncombustible but accelerates the burning of combustible material. If the combustible material is finely divided the mixture may be explosive. Contact with liquid combustible materials may result in spontaneous ignition. Contact with sulfuric acid may cause fire or explosion. Used to make other chemicals and as a disinfectant. (Source: CameoChemicals.NOAA.gov).  

Short Takes – 7-17-26 - Federal Register Edition

Regulatory Relief for Certain Stationary Sources To Promote American Chemical Manufacturing Security. Presidential Proclamation  

Pipeline Safety: Joint Meeting of the Gas and Liquid Pipeline Advisory Committees. PHMSA meeting notice. Summary: “This notice announces a joint public meeting of the Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, also known as the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC), and the Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, also known as the Liquid Pipeline Advisory Committee (LPAC). The meeting will be held virtually to discuss 13 notices of proposed rulemaking (NPRMs) covering topics such as special permit conditions, in-plant piping, incidental gathering lines, coating damage assessments, atmospheric corrosion, class change pressure tests, maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) reconfirmation, operator identification notifications, limitations on welding operators, remote monitoring valves, property damage definition, right-of-way patrols, and reporting deadlines.” 

Release of Draft Integrated Science Assessment To Support the Review of the Primary National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Oxides of Nitrogen. EPA notice of availability. Summary: “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making available for public review the draft document titled, Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen—Health Criteria, External Review Draft (“draft ISA”). This document was prepared as part of the current review of the primary (health-based) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for oxides of nitrogen. The draft ISA will be available on or about July 15, 2026.”