President Trump’s latest executive order will anger environmental groups while appearing to boost SpaceX and Blue Origin
On Wednesday, Trump signed an executive order titled “Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry”, saying it was crucial to national security that the private rocket-ship industry increase launches “substantially” by 2030.
The order directs the U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to “eliminate outdated, redundant, or overly restrictive rules for launch and reentry vehicles.” Duffy called Trump’s executive order “visionary”.
According to the executive order, this would mean that commercial spaceship companies may be able to bypass the environmental reviews that are required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Usually private space companies are required to get launch permits from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and are subject to review under the National Environmental Policy Act.
Space companies have complained that the FAA has taken too long to review launch permits, and environmental groups have criticized the agency for not using NEPA reviews to require more protections at launch sites.
Environmental reviews are in place because rocket launches and landings can be hugely disruptive to local towns and residents, along with the nature and wildlife in the area.
For example, toxic chemicals, noises and fumes created at launch can injure and kill endangered species, while exploded rocket parts returning to Earth can harm marine life.
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The suit looked at SpaceX’s Starship rocket launch in Texas in April 2023, which had a concerning impact on the surrounding environment. The spaceship annihilated its launchpad, sending chunks of concrete flying 6 miles (10km) away. It also sparked a grassfire that burned nearly 4 acres of a state park.
