US President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Wednesday aimed at simplifying the regulatory framework governing commercial rocket launches. The order mandates the US transportation secretary to streamline or eliminate environmental reviews for launch licenses issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This action is purported to encourage investment and innovation, enabling US companies to take a leading position in the global space market.
The executive order also advocates for the removal of “outdated, redundant or overly restrictive rules for launch and reentry vehicles,” as outlined in the White House statement.
However, this policy might especially benefit SpaceX, the private space company owned by Elon Musk. Despite their public disagreements, Trump’s latest executive order could provide a competitive edge for space companies, including SpaceX, which is planning ambitious missions to the Moon and Mars with its Starship rockets.
On the other hand, environmental groups have expressed concerns over the potential risks to people and wildlife arising from the deregulation of commercial spaceflight. They argue that the simplification of regulatory measures may increase the chances of explosions and other adverse outcomes from rocket launches.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/trump-signs-order-to-ease-commercial-spaceflight-regulations/a-73631367?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
