FAA Safety Analyst Works to Keep Commercial Spaceflight Safe
Kayla Bigham is a flight-safety analyst at the FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation, where she reviews rockets and reentry capsules and assesses public risks from space debris. She previously investigated explosions in the oil and gas sector, experience she says prepared her for safety-focused work. Bigham has also helped develop Part 450 regulations and argues that her office supports commercial space growth while prioritizing safety.
Kayla Bigham, 27, works as a flight-safety analyst for the FAA’s commercial space office. Her childhood ambition to become an astronaut changed after she learned about Apollo 1 and Apollo 13, steering her toward protecting spaceflight. Before joining the FAA, she investigated oil and gas fires and gas explosions, work she says built skills useful for safety analysis.
At the FAA, she examines launch vehicles and reentry capsules and evaluates worst-case risks to the public from debris. She also contributed to Part 450 rulemaking, which seeks to reduce licensing burdens for launch operators. She says her office backs commercial space while insisting on safety.
Bigham’s work may affect commercial launch companies, nearby communities, and future space travelers by shaping how risks are reviewed. Clearer rules like Part 450 could influence how quickly operators get approvals, while safety assessments may reduce public exposure to debris hazards. Her perspective could also affect public trust in regulators, suggesting that oversight and industry growth can be pursued together.