Promotes Innovation, Efficiency, Streamlined Launch/Reentry Licensing

The Commercial Space Federation welcomed a recent Executive Order signed by President Donald Trump and congratulated him on relieving the regulatory barriers that have hindered the commercial space enterprise and limited the level of competition that drives innovation.

Dave Cavossa, President of the CSF released the statement below on the Executive Order “Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry”:

“CSF applauds President Trump and the leaders across the Federal Government for taking bold action to prioritize space. Building upon the work of his first administration, today’s executive order reorganizes key aspects of the FAA and Department of Commerce and provides regulatory relief to unleash the U.S. commercial space industry.

“With these actions, it is clear that President Trump is serious about maintaining U.S. dominance in space in the face of growing international competition, especially from China. This executive order will strengthen and grow the U.S. commercial space industry by cutting red tape while maintaining a commitment to public safety, benefitting the American people and the U.S government that are increasingly reliant on space for our national and economic security.”

Key provisions in the EO are:

Reforming Regulatory Barriers to Commercial Launch and Reentry: –Secretary of Transportation is directed to use all authority to eliminate or expedite environmental reviews related to launch and reentry licensing. Also directed to reevaluate, amend, or rescind regulations related to the same in 14CFR Part 450 that create regulatory burdens on the commercial space industry.

Reforming Regulatory Barriers to Next Generation Spaceport Infrastructure: –Multiple provisions related to regulatory relief for the development of American spaceports.

Novel Space Activity Authorization: –Secretary of Commerce is directed to propose a process for authorizing non-governmental space missions not currently regulated. This eliminates the need for operators to navigate a currently very complex interagency process for approvals.

Reforming Regulatory Leadership and Accountability: –Secretary of Transportation is directed to establish a position within the Office of the Secretary to advise the Secretary on fostering innovation and deregulation in the commercial space industry.

–Directs the Administrator of the FAA to appoint a senior executive as Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation or AST, to ensure that AST leadership is responsive to industry concerns and to enhance the status of commercial space issues within the Transportation Department.

–Secretary of Commerce is to elevate the Office of Space Commerce into the Office of the Secretary to lead interagency deliberations in promotion of commercial space interests.

FMI:  commercialspace.org/