President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to boost competition in the U.S. commercial space industry by cutting red tape, streamlining approvals and speeding up launches.
“It is imperative that we build on the far-reaching actions taken by my Administration during my first term to ensure that new space-based industries, space exploration capabilities, and cutting-edge defense systems are pioneered in America rather than by our adversaries,” Trump wrote in the EO. “Ensuring that United States operators can efficiently launch, conduct missions in space, and reenter United States airspace is critical to economic growth, national security, and accomplishing Federal space objectives.”
The EO calls for faster licensing and permit processes for U.S.-based operators, fewer regulatory barriers to launches and reentries, and quicker environmental reviews. It directs the Transportation Department to use “all available authorities” to remove or fast-track any obstacles to granting launch and reentry approvals.
It also targets spaceport development, pushing agencies to align review processes, eliminate duplicative steps and preserve national security launch capacity. Within 150 days, the Commerce Department must propose a faster authorization process for certain space missions not clearly covered by current rules but still subject to the Outer Space Treaty of 1967.
According to the order, the administration’s aim is to enable a more competitive launch marketplace and significantly increase both the pace of commercial launches and the range of novel space activities by 2030.
The order elevates the Office of Space Commerce to report directly to the Commerce secretary and creates a new DOT position focused on commercial space innovation and deregulation. It will be carried out in line with existing laws and available funding.