S 980119th CongressIn Committee

Alleviating Spaceport Traffic by Rewarding Operators Act of 2025

Introduced: Mar 12, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Alleviating Spaceport Traffic by Rewarding Operators Act of 2025 would authorize the Secretary of Transportation to create a pilot program that provides grants to operators of launch and reentry sites (spaceports) to build, repair, maintain, or improve transportation infrastructure at or adjacent to those sites. The goal is to alleviate spaceport traffic and enhance transportation safety by supporting infrastructure that enables movement of people and goods to and from launch sites. Grants are awarded based on a formula tied to launch/reentry activity and may be supplemented by non-federal matching from states, localities, or private partners. The program has a funding cap of $20 million per year and sunsets on October 1, 2030.

Key Points

1Authorized program: The Secretary may establish a pilot program to issue grants to spaceport operators for infrastructure projects that support transportation safety and activity at launch/reentry sites or adjacent facilities.
2Grant formula: Grants are issued annually after fiscal year 2026 and equal:
3- $250,000 for each launch/reentry operation under a license (per 51 U.S.C. 50905) conducted from the site or adjacent Federal ranges in the prior year; plus
4- $100,000 for each launch/reentry operation under a permit (per 51 U.S.C. 50902) in the prior year.
5Maximum grant and adjacency rules: Individual operator grants max out at $2,500,000 per fiscal year. The Secretary determines adjacency to a Federal launch range and selects among adjacent operators if multiple seek funding, with multi-site operators counted as one site for eligibility purposes.
6Supplemental grants and matching: Operators may receive supplemental grants if they secure non-federal matching from states, localities, or private entities. 25% of the grant amount can be awarded in the following year for dollar-for-dollar matches; 50% if non-federal matching equals or exceeds twice the grant. There are timing and non-duplication rules for supplemental grants.
7Funding source and cap: Grants come from funds under 49 U.S.C. § 106(k). The total across all grants may not exceed $20,000,000 per fiscal year. The Secretary can proportionally reduce or withhold supplemental grants or other grants to stay within the cap.
8Definitions and scope: The bill defines “covered transportation activity” to include movement to/from a launch site by vehicle, vessel, railroad, aircraft, or pipeline. It also defines key terms (launch site, operator, qualified entity, etc.) consistent with federal launch licensing and permitting authorities.
9Sunset and oversight: The program is a temporary pilot that ceases effective October 1, 2030. Grantees must maintain records and make them available to the Secretary or the Comptroller General upon request.

Impact Areas

Primary: Operators of launch and reentry sites (spaceport operators) who may receive funding to upgrade infrastructure to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety around launch/reentry facilities.Secondary: State, local, tribal governments or private entities that provide matching funds or participate in project partnerships; Federal launch ranges and associated agencies involved in intermodal transportation and space operations.Additional impacts: Potential short-term improvements in traffic flow and safety around spaceports; increased coordination between spaceport operators and local transportation networks; use of federal funds to incentivize private/public investments in intermodal infrastructure; limited-duration funding with a sunset, creating a known end date for program commitments.

Generated by gpt-5-nano on Nov 1, 2025