Executive Order 14335

Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry

Signed August 13, 2025, printed at 90 FR 40219. 7 sections of substance, 1,409 words.

In plain English

This order eases rules on private rockets. It aims to speed up launches.

Sec. 1. Purpose

In 1969, the United States landed the first humans on the Moon. In the years since, premier space companies from around the world have been drawn to launch rockets and satellites from the United States, incentivized by its infrastructure and support for commercial space activities. Americans are more prosperous because of the space research and development occurring here. It is imperative that we build on the far-reaching actions taken by my Administration during my first term to ensure that new space-based industries, space exploration capabilities, and cutting-edge defense systems are pioneered in America rather than by our adversaries. Ensuring that United States operators can efficiently launch, conduct missions in space, and reenter United States airspace is critical to economic growth, national security, and accomplishing Federal space exploration objectives.

In plain English

This states the case the order makes. It recalls the 1969 Moon landing. It says space firms come here to launch. Support for private space work is the draw. It says research here makes people better off. It says new space work must start here, not with rivals. Easy launch and reentry are called vital.

Sec. 2. Policy

It is the policy of the United States to enhance American greatness in space by enabling a competitive launch marketplace and substantially increasing commercial space launch cadence and novel space activities by 2030. To accomplish this, the Federal Government will streamline commercial license and permit approvals for United States-based operators.

In plain English

This states the policy. The country's standing in space must grow. A competitive launch market is one route. Launch numbers must rise sharply by 2030. New kinds of space work must grow too. To do that, the government must simplify approvals. Licenses and permits are named. Operators based here are the focus.

Sec. 3. Reforming Regulatory Barriers to Commercial Launch and Reentry

(a) The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality, shall, consistent with applicable law, use all available authorities to eliminate or expedite the Department of Transportation's environmental reviews for, and other obstacles to the granting of, launch and reentry licenses and permits. Such measures shall include the exercise of authority by the Secretary of Transportation under 51 U.S.C. 50905(b)(2)(C) as applicable; determining which Department of Transportation functions are not subject to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); and, as appropriate, establishing categorical exclusions under NEPA (or relying on existing categorical exclusions) for launch and reentry licenses and permits within certain parameters. (b) The Secretary of Transportation shall reevaluate, amend, or rescind, as appropriate and consistent with

In plain English

This targets launch permits. Transportation must cut or speed its environment reviews. The environment council is consulted. A launch law gives one tool. It must also find work not covered by the review law. It may set exclusions for launch and reentry permits. Old exclusions may serve. It must also revisit its own rules.

Sec. 4.

Reforming Regulatory Barriers to Next Generation Spaceport Infrastructure. (a) The Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), shall, within 180 days of the date of this order, conduct an evaluation of relevant States' compliance under the Coastal Zone Management Act pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 1458, the effect of any lack of compliance on the development of spaceport infrastructure, and whether State approvals under that Act should be revoked. The Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Administrator of NASA shall also notify the Department of Justice of any State or local limitations on spaceport development on Federal lands that may be inconsistent with Federal law. (b) Within 180 days of the date of

In plain English

This targets spaceport rules. Commerce has 180 days to study state compliance. A coastal law sets the test. It must see if that blocks spaceport building. It must weigh pulling state approvals. Defense, Transportation and NASA help. They must tell Justice of local limits on federal land. More steps follow in 180 days.

Sec. 5. Reforming Novel Space Activity Authorization

Within 150 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce shall propose a process for individualized mission authorizations for activities that are covered by Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, but not clearly or straightforwardly governed by existing regulatory frameworks, with the goal of expediting and streamlining authorizations to enable American space competitiveness and superiority. This proposal must solicit and consider affected agencies' feedback on the authorization process, contain a definitive timeline for the grant or denial of authorization for proposed activities, and include clear and consistent requirements for applicants. The Secretary of Commerce shall transmit the proposal to the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and the Assistant to the President for Science and

In plain English

This covers new kinds of space work. Commerce has 150 days to propose a process. It covers work the space treaty reaches. Current rules do not clearly cover it. The aim is faster approval. Agencies must be asked for their views. A firm timeline is required. Rules for applicants must be clear. Three White House aides get the plan.

Sec. 6. Reforming Regulatory Leadership and Accountability

(a) Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish a position in the Office of the Secretary with the responsibility of advising the Secretary of Transportation on fostering innovation and deregulation in the commercial space transportation industry. The Secretary of Transportation shall further direct the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to take all necessary steps to appoint a senior executive [[Page 40221]] noncareer employee to be the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation. (b) Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce shall elevate the Office of Space Commerce into the Office of the Secretary.

In plain English

This changes who leads. Transportation has 60 days to create a post. That aide advises on space industry rules. Innovation and cutting rules are the brief. The aviation agency must also fill a top space post. A noncareer executive takes it. Commerce has 60 days to raise its space office. That office moves up to the secretary.

Sec. 7. Administrative Note

Where applicable, the functions assigned to the Secretary of Transportation in sections 1 through 5 of this order shall be carried out by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration under the direction of the Secretary of Transportation.

In plain English

This is a note on who acts. Several sections give tasks to Transportation. Where it fits, the aviation agency does that work. Its administrator carries out the task. Transportation still directs it. The first five sections are the ones covered.

Sec. 8. General Provisions

Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.

(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. (d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of Transportation. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, August 13, 2025. [FR

In plain English

This is the closing clause that nearly every order carries. It says the order does not change what the law already allows. It also says no one can sue to enforce it.

How this order is quoted

Each section is quoted as the order prints it, under its own number and heading. Executive orders are United States government works and are not under copyright. Long sections are cut at a sentence and the whole order is a click away.