U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order easing regulations for the private space industry, aiming to “substantially” increase the number of space launches in the United States by 2030.
The move is expected to benefit Elon Musk’s SpaceX, a leading player in the global launch market.
The executive order directed the Transportation Secretary to eliminate or expedite environmental reviews for launch licenses administered by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The executive order, which said it aimed to “substantially” increase the number of space launches in the United States, was described by an environmental group as “reckless.”
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has talked up several space missions including sending humans to the Moon and Mars.
The Moon and Mars missions are planned to get a ride on the massive Starship rocket of Musk’s private firm SpaceX.
However, Starship has had a series of setbacks, with its latest routine test ending in a fiery explosion in June.
SpaceX, which has launched over 130 rockets in the past year, is likely to be a major beneficiary of this order, allowing it to increase its launch frequency and further dominate the global market.
Meanwhile, critics argued that the order would lead to environmental degradation and put people and wildlife at risk.
The Center for Biological Diversity has described the order as “reckless,” warning that it could result in the destruction of protected plants and animals.
SpaceX’s Starship, a massive rocket designed for missions to the Moon and Mars, has faced criticism for its environmental impact.
Despite setbacks, including a recent test ending in a fiery explosion, SpaceX remained committed to its “fail fast, learn fast” approach.
The order also aimed to streamline regulations for novel space activities, potentially paving the way for increased commercial space exploration and development
With the regulatory hurdles reduced, SpaceX and other private space companies might increase their launch frequency, driving innovation and growth in the space industry.
While the order aimed to boost the space industry, it may come at the cost of environmental protection, sparking debates about the balance between progress and sustainability.
