Trump wants to clean up the space industry’s red tape. Here’s who wins.

In August 2024, President Donald Trump issued an executive order aimed at deregulating the commercial space industry by streamlining launch licensing, accelerating spaceport development, and cutting “outdated, redundant, or overly restrictive” Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules. The order directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) and FAA to simplify permitting and environmental reviews, appoint a senior executive to promote innovation and deregulation, and instructs the Commerce Department to establish a new authorization process for emerging space activities such as in-space manufacturing and satellite refueling. This move is intended to reduce regulatory barriers that have historically slowed investment and innovation in the U.S. space sector. The industry response has been largely positive, with groups like the Commercial Space Federation, representing companies such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Rocket Lab, welcoming the regulatory relief as a boost to commercial space competitiveness. Faster permitting and clearer rules are expected to benefit launch providers and state-backed spaceport operators, while the new framework for novel space activities could