Trump wants to clean the red tape for the space industry: here he is the one who wins

During a press conference in late 2024, President Donald Trump pledged to “cut huge numbers of job killing regulations” during his second term and pledged to eliminate 10 old rules for each new rule.

It now brings this standard cancellation to the commercial space, requests federal agencies to simplify the license, develop a speed in space, and clarify the Advisory Council for the Federal Aviation Management Industry.

“The ineffective processes of permits discourage investment and innovation, which limits the ability of American companies to lead global space markets,” he said at Executive It signed August 13.

The request is directed by the Ministry of Transport (DOT) to reduce the rules of “outdated, excessive or excessively restricted” that govern launch licenses and re -entering. It also guides the Federal Aviation Administration, which is under the point, to remove or accelerate environmental reviews, reduce the way to building new space elements, and appointing “chief executives” accused of enhancing “innovation and drilling.”

The Trade Administration has also been ordered to determine a new process for the permission of “new space activities”, such as space manufacturing or satellite refueling, which are not accurately suitable for current licensing systems.

The executive order came on the same day Each member rejected For the Commercial Transport Advisory Committee, a long -time consultant council within the point that constitute the rules and priorities of space.

For companies that have spent years sunk in environmental reviews and delaying the license, the demand was a welcoming sign that future bids will face the shortest schedules and more organizational clarity. The Trade Federation of Space, a commercial group in the industry, whose members include Spacex, Blue Orige, Rocket Lab, and dozens of others, praised the executive order to provide “organizational relief to launch the American commercial space industry”.

In fact, commercial players are preparing to gain a lot under this new system. Launching companies can benefit from faster permits and simplified environmental reviews. The state -backed Spaceport operators, such as Florida space,, Aid may also be done through the rulings that accelerate the development of the new site.

Creating a mandate for the mission for “new” space activities is equal: emerging like VARDA Space Industries Or the fab orbit, which develops techniques for manufacturing drugs in space and refueling in orbit, respectively, may gain a feature through a regulatory approach led by trade.

The twisted point of the environmental base

Not everyone celebrates the request. It is called the CBD Center, an environmental group that challenges FAA’s approval of the space space program in Texas, “reckless”.

“The knee bending for strong companies by allowing federal agencies to ignore the environmental laws of the basins is incredibly dangerous and all puts us in the way of harm. This is not clear that it is in the public interest.”

For groups such as CBD, environmental reviews are not “very complicated”, as requests are paid – they are often completely insufficient. In 2023, Environmental groups, including the alleged biological diversity agreement FAA’s environmental evaluation of South Texas plans in Spacex was not sufficient and in a violation of the National Environmental Policy Law.

Spacex made a separately An increasing public campaign Against “unnecessary” regulations and environmental analyzes that hindered a faster test campaign.

There is still some unknown. Legal challenges of the request may slow progress, and new Commestac members, who have not yet been appointed, will inform the future of space rules.