Overview

• President Trump signed an executive order directing DOT, Commerce, NASA, DoD and CEQ to eliminate or expedite NEPA reviews and amend outdated Part 450 launch and reentry rules.
• The order imposes strict agency deadlines including 60 days to appoint space commerce and deregulation leads, 120 days to report on rule reforms, 150 days to propose mission-authorization procedures and 180 days to evaluate state CZMA compliance.
• Agencies must align and streamline interagency processes for new spaceport construction and may revoke state coastal approvals that hinder infrastructure development.
• The Commerce Department is tasked with elevating the Office of Space Commerce and crafting a framework for individualized authorizations of novel non-human space activities.
• Industry advocates say the move will boost U.S. launch capacity and competitiveness through 2030 while environmental groups vow legal challenges over reduced environmental oversight.