The **Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)** is the U.S. Department of Transportation agency tasked with regulating civil aviation safety, managing the National Airspace System, and overseeing commercial space transportation to ensure the world's safest, most efficient aerospace operations.[1][2][4] Established as the independent Federal Aviation Agency in 1958 via the Federal Aviation Act—responding to rising mid-century air traffic and accidents—it integrated into the Department of Transportation in 1967, adopting its current name.[1][3][4] Over decades, the FAA expanded into aviation security amid 1960s hijackings, noise regulations in 1968, and post-9/11 environmental and security roles (now partly with Homeland Security).[1] Key achievements include pioneering the NextGen air traffic modernization for satellite-based navigation, certifying pilots and aircraft globally, and licensing commercial space launches—safeguarding U.S. assets during SpaceX and Blue Origin operations while handling over 50,000 daily flights.[4][5][6] Today, the FAA's five core lines—Air Traffic Organization (ATO) for towers and radar centers, Aviation Safety (AVS) for certifications, Airports (ARP) for $3.5 billion annual grants, Space Transportation, and Research—drive innovation in drones, electric aircraft, and noise reduction.[1][2][6] It enforces manufacturing standards, develops tech like advanced engines, and negotiates international agreements, promoting U.S. aviation abroad.[4] With a workforce managing a million daily passengers, the FAA tackles booming demands from eVTOLs and hypersonics, emphasizing environmental responsibility amid tech-business booms.[5][7] Notably, its dual civil-military air traffic role and drone oversight position it at the forefront of aviation's business-tech nexus, balancing safety with innovation for stakeholders from airlines to startups.[3][8] (298 words)