Trump Signs Executive Order to Streamline Rocket Launch Regulations

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at streamlining regulations for commercial rocket launches. The directive, issued on September 27, 2023, instructs federal agencies to “eliminate or expedite” environmental reviews necessary for obtaining launch and reentry licenses. This move is likely to benefit commercial space companies, particularly SpaceX, which conducts a significant number of launches licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The FAA, part of the Department of Transportation (DOT), is responsible for ensuring that launch activities adhere to public safety standards, environmental laws, and U.S. national interests. The executive order tasks Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who also serves as the acting administrator of NASA, with utilizing all available authorities to expedite the regulatory process for launch permits.

Impacts on Environmental Regulations

In the order, Trump emphasizes the need to consult with the chair of the Council on Environmental Quality while following applicable laws in any regulatory changes. The executive order also calls for a reevaluation of safety regulations established during the previous Trump administration. These regulations, known as Part 450, were implemented in 2021 to simplify the licensing process but have faced criticism from industry stakeholders for being overly cumbersome.

The order specifically directs Duffy to work on eliminating duplicative reviews required for developing spaceports, which is particularly relevant for federally owned launch sites such as Cape Canaveral in Florida, Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, and Wallops Island in Virginia. Additionally, the administration plans to appoint a political appointee to lead the FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation, a role previously held by a career civil servant.

Critics of the executive order, including attorneys from environmental advocacy groups, have expressed concerns about the potential risks to public safety and wildlife habitats. Jared Margolis, a senior attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, remarked to ProPublica that rescinding regulations designed to protect public interests may lead to increased risks for both individuals and ecosystems.

Reform and Future Prospects

The executive order highlights the administration’s goal to enhance U.S. competitiveness in space by fostering a more robust commercial launch marketplace. The document states that the federal government aims to substantially increase the frequency of commercial space launches and novel space activities by 2030. Duffy reiterated this sentiment, stating that reducing bureaucratic obstacles will “unleash the next wave of innovation” in the space industry.

The implications of this executive order resonate beyond immediate regulatory relief, as it aligns with the broader Trump administration strategy of diminishing environmental oversight across various sectors. The White House has previously directed federal agencies to repeal certain provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which mandates environmental assessments for federal actions.

Notably, the executive order instructs the DOT to identify activities it deems exempt from NEPA, specifically concerning launch and reentry licenses. This aspect of the order may spark considerable debate, as it represents a significant shift in how environmental impacts are assessed in the context of commercial spaceflight.

The executive order is also noteworthy for its bipartisan appeal regarding the reform of Part 450 regulations. Since their introduction, these regulations have faced scrutiny for not accommodating the rapid advancements in rocket technology, such as those demonstrated by SpaceX’s Starship/Super Heavy vehicle. In May 2023, the FAA approved an increase in SpaceX’s authorized Starship launches from five to 25 annually, a decision reflecting the evolving needs of the industry.

As the Trump administration pushes forward with these regulatory changes, it remains to be seen how they will shape the future of commercial space exploration and safety standards. With the involvement of both government and private sectors, the commercial space industry stands at a pivotal moment of transformation.