The White House has issued an executive order aimed at increasing competition and efficiency in the commercial space industry. The order, signed by President Donald J. Trump on August 13, 2025, outlines several directives for federal agencies to reduce regulatory barriers and streamline processes related to space launches, reentry operations, and the development of spaceport infrastructure.
The policy emphasizes enhancing American leadership in space by enabling a more competitive launch marketplace and boosting the frequency of commercial launches and new space activities by 2030. The administration seeks to achieve this by simplifying licensing and permitting procedures for U.S.-based operators.
“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. 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,” President Trump stated.
The Secretary of Transportation is directed to use all available authorities to expedite or eliminate environmental reviews and other obstacles for granting launch and reentry licenses. This includes evaluating which functions may not be subject to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and establishing categorical exclusions where appropriate.
Additionally, within 120 days of the order’s issuance, the Secretary of Transportation must report on actions taken regarding regulatory requirements for various types of launch vehicles. These include vehicles with flight termination systems or automated safety systems as well as hybrid vehicles with valid Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness certificates.
On infrastructure development, the Secretary of Commerce will evaluate state compliance under the Coastal Zone Management Act concerning its impact on building new spaceports. Federal agencies are instructed to coordinate their review processes for such projects through a memorandum of understanding intended to eliminate duplicative steps while maintaining necessary national security capacity.
Further measures call for expediting environmental and administrative reviews across relevant departments—including Defense, Interior, Transportation, NASA—and coordinating efforts to establish NEPA categorical exclusions when appropriate.
For novel activities not clearly governed by existing regulations but covered under Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, the Secretary of Commerce is tasked with proposing a streamlined mission authorization process within 150 days. This proposal should include agency feedback mechanisms as well as clear timelines for decision-making.
Leadership changes are also mandated: Within 60 days, a position focused on innovation and deregulation in commercial space transportation will be established within the Department of Transportation; similarly, the Office of Space Commerce will be elevated into the Office of the Secretary at Commerce.
President Trump’s order specifies that these initiatives should be carried out consistent with applicable law and budgetary constraints. It clarifies that no rights or benefits are created enforceable against the United States or its agencies through this directive.
