LAUNCH Act
The LAUNCH Act is a comprehensive bill aimed at modernizing and speeding up federal regulation of two related areas: (1) commercial space launch and reentry activities, and (2) licensing of private remote sensing space systems. It would create a new Commercial Space Transportation Administration (CSTA) within the Department of Transportation, led by an Administrator reporting directly to the Secretary of Transportation. The bill would establish a digital licensing, permitting, and approval system, require routine evaluation of current rules (notably 14 CFR Part 450) for their impact on industry, and push for streamlined and less duplicative review processes. It also envisions a more proactive role for industry in rulemaking, a dedicated licensing officer for remote sensing licenses, annual congressional briefings, and a government-wide focus on flight safety analysis involving DoD and NASA. Overall, the bill seeks faster licenses, clearer processes, and greater transparency for commercial space activities and private remote sensing ventures, with a stronger DOT footprint and new administrative structures to support growth and global competitiveness. Key provisions include: (a) creation of the Commercial Space Transportation Administration within DOT; (b) mandatory evaluation and reporting on Part 450 implementation to reduce delays and uncertainty; (c) establishment of a digital licensing system with public access and status notifications; (d) required direct-hire authority for certain licensing-related positions and annual reporting on staffing; (e) streamlining of both space launch/reentry licensing and private remote sensing licensing, including clarifying regulatory scope and ensuring faster, less duplicative reviews; and (f) annual congressional briefings and a GAO-ordered review of U.S. remote sensing policy to bolster domestic industry leadership.
Key Points
- 1Establishment of the Commercial Space Transportation Administration (CSTA) within the Department of Transportation, headed by an Administrator who reports to the Secretary, with duties to exercise authorities related to commercial space launch and reentry activities.
- 2Streamlining and evaluation of regulations: require a DOT evaluation within 120 days of enactment of Part 450’s impact on the industry, including delays and review timelines; provide a structured report with recommendations for reducing delays without merely increasing personnel or funding; maintain an Aerospace Rulemaking Committee to advise on amendments and avoid duplicative work with CASTAC.
- 3Digital licensing, permitting, and approval system: mandate a new DOT system within 60 days to track and notify applicants from initial submission through final decision; require public access to status information on a DOT website, with quarterly updates and specific data points (submission dates, interagency reviews, requests for information, final decisions, and system-wide timelines).
- 4Remote sensing licensing reforms: clarify that certain instruments used for mission assurance or technical health of launch or spacecraft are not “remote sensing” for licensing purposes; assign a dedicated licensing officer to assist applicants; improve transparency around licensing tier determinations and streamline reviews to shorten timelines; reevaluate tiering criteria annually to move systems to lower tiers where possible.
- 5Flight safety workforce and interagency coordination: recognize the importance of flight safety analysis, and require a report within 180 days detailing roles and expertise across DoD, DOT, and NASA; enable a memorandum of understanding to allow federal-range personnel to support flight safety analyses for licensing.
- 6Additional policy and oversight measures: annual briefing to Congress on licensing, including process timelines, tolling, and review performance; direct-hire authorities (noncompetitive) for certain positions in commercial space licensing; funding cap for the digital licensing system (up to $5 million of FAA Commercial Space Transportation Safety R&D funds for FY2025).