Donald Trump wants fewer rules and more space launches

Nearly a year ago, SpaceX clashed with the US Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) over its excessively slow licensing process. Donald Trump signed an executive order ( PDF ) to speed up rocket launches by amending or eliminating unnecessary regulations.

Fewer rules, more launches by 2030

SpaceX had criticized the FAA for demanding a more thorough environmental impact assessment before the fifth flight test of the Starship rocket. Elon Musk's company had emphasized the futility of some of these requests , as it already complies with all regulations protecting land and marine wildlife. In early May, the FAA subsequently approved the launch of 25 Starships per year.

Trump's executive order on August 13th directly boosted SpaceX and other space companies, imposing deregulation . The goal is to increase launch frequency and space operations by 2030 to allow the United States to return to the Moon and reach Mars before its competitors (especially China). This will only be possible with the rapid issuance of commercial licenses .

Trump then directed Sean Duffy , Secretary of Transportation and acting NASA administrator, to use all available authorities to eliminate or expedite environmental reviews and other obstacles to issuing launch and reentry licenses and permits. The Secretary must also amend or waive certain restrictions in the FAA's licensing regulations (which have been heavily criticized by space companies).

Trump wants to minimize the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The executive order was obviously celebrated by the aerospace industry. Jared Margolis, senior staff attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, highlighted the potential consequences:

This reckless order puts people and wildlife at risk due to the launch of giant rockets by private companies, which often explode and devastate surrounding areas. Kneeling before powerful corporations, allowing federal agencies to ignore fundamental environmental laws, is incredibly dangerous and puts us all at risk. This is clearly not in the public interest.

The California Coastal Commission recently rejected a request to increase the number of launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base, used primarily by SpaceX for its Falcon 9 rocket, from 50 to 95. Trump's executive order will allow the company to override the commission's decision.