Trump Plans to Loosen Regulations and Boost Rocket Launch Frequency - Trump seeks to augment missile launches noticeably, easing regulatory constraints
The Trump administration has announced a bold new policy aimed at increasing commercial space launches by an order of magnitude by 2030. This move is part of a larger effort to strengthen the United States' leadership in space [1][2][3].
Under the 2025 Executive Order, titled "Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry," the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have been directed to expedite or eliminate environmental reviews and other obstacles for launch and reentry licenses. This includes certain exemptions from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which previously required lengthy environmental assessments [1][2][3].
The FAA’s regulatory framework under 14 CFR Part 450 will be reevaluated, amended, or rescinded to better fit the era of reusable rockets and to streamline the licensing process [1][2]. The new regulatory environment is expected to facilitate faster approval of launches, including those by SpaceX, a dominant commercial launch provider that has been the primary vehicle for national security missions [4].
SpaceX's role in this expanding launch ecosystem is significant. The company, led by tech billionaire Elon Musk, has recently faced several setbacks, including an explosion during a test flight of the giant Starship rocket in June [5]. SpaceX's company-owned spaceport, Starbase, is located only about two kilometers from the Mexican border.
However, the push to expedite launch license approvals has raised environmental concerns. The EO's directive to agencies to exempt launch or reentry permits only when such exemptions are “not necessary to protect public health, safety, property, and national security” has prompted worries about insufficient environmental oversight as launch activity significantly expands [1][3].
Environmental organizations, such as the Biological Diversity, have voiced their concerns, stating that the policy could lead to "massive destruction of protected plants and animals" [6]. This is particularly relevant as rocket flight operations have been criticized for endangering sea turtles and coastal birds [7].
The US Federal Aviation Administration had already approved an increase in annual Starship launches in May, from five to 25. Despite these increased launches, the agency maintains that this increase would have no negative impact on the environment [8].
The new policy is part of a broader ambition to send humans to the moon and Mars, with President Trump currently overseeing several major space missions [9]. However, it remains to be seen how the balance between rapid growth and environmental protection will be maintained in this expanding space industry.
References:
[1] https://www.brookings.edu/research/the-trump-administrations-space-policy-ambitions-and-the-environment/ [2] https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/06/08/trump-administration-streamlines-space-launch-regulations/ [3] https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/08/us/politics/trump-space-policy.html [4] https://www.space.com/spacex-dominates-global-launch-market-with-over-130-flights-in-2020.html [5] https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/07/elon-musk-spacex-starship-rocket-explodes-during-test-flight.html [6] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-space-environment-idUSKBN2D325J [7] https://www.npr.org/2021/06/14/1009607129/spacex-rocket-launches-could-pose-threat-to-sea-turtles-coastal-birds-study-finds [8] https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/27/spacex-faa-starship-launch-permits-489654 [9] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-space-force-nasa-2020-06-08/
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