Trump Simplified Rules for Commercial Rocket Launches

• Trump simplified environmental reviews for commercial rocket launches.
• This decision is advantageous for SpaceX and Blue Origin.
• Critics express concerns about the potential impact on the environment.

The president Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at streamlining environmental reviews for commercial rocket launches. The executive order, titled "Streamlining Competition in the Commercial Space Industry," was signed on September 13, 2025, and seeks to facilitate an increase in the number of rocket launches by 2030.

According to the order, companies may eliminate environmental reviews required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issues launch permits, but has been criticized for delays in their processing. Environmental groups, in turn, assert that such reviews are essential for protecting the natural environment.

This order particularly benefits companies like SpaceX of Elon Musk, which aims to increase the number of launches. SpaceX is already facing lawsuits related to violations of environmental norms during launches in Texas.

The order also provides for the streamlining of the process for obtaining permits for companies like Blue Origin of Jeff Bezos, which aims to increase the number of launches.

Trump directed the Department of Transportation, NASA, and the military to eliminate duplicate reviews for the development of spacecraft. This applies to federal launches, such as those at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Critics, including attorney Jared Margolis of the Center for Biological Diversity, warned that skipping environmental reviews could endanger both people and wildlife.

According to the data, the new order could help develop a competitive launch market and significantly increase the number of commercial launches by 2030.

Tags: USA/Technology/Space