President Trump has signed an executive order easing regulations for commercial rocket launches and spaceport development, likely to boost Elon Musk’s SpaceX. The order calls for eliminating or expediting environmental reviews for rocket launches and seeks to evaluate state and local restrictions on spaceport development. It also seeks to expedite environmental and administrative reviews for building the infrastructure for launches. 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 order aims to substantially increase commercial space launches and “novel space activities” by the end of the decade. Environmental advocates were wary of the move, arguing it puts people and wildlife at risk from rockets that often explode and “wreak devastation on surrounding areas.” However, the order is likely to be a boon to SpaceX, one of the biggest players in the commercial space industry.
Trump has announced a significant reduction in environmental regulations for space companies.
