Trump’s Executive Order Aims to Accelerate Commercial Space Launch Approvals

President Donald TRUMP signed an executive order on Wednesday to streamline regulations for the commercial space sector, directing federal agencies to expedite approvals for launch and reentry operations. The move is expected to benefit industry players like SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, and other operators such as Blue Origin LLC.

The order instructs the Secretary of Transportation to review and eliminate outdated or overly restrictive rules governing launch licenses, with a focus on maintaining safety while reducing bureaucratic hurdles. Part 450, the FAA's commercial launch regulation, will also be reevaluated—a provision long sought by industry advocates who argue the current framework is needlessly complex.

SpaceX stands to gain directly from these changes as it prepares additional Starship test flights. The company's relationship with the administration has been complicated, with Musk publicly clashing with Trump over fiscal policy despite earlier alignment.