Washington – A new report by the Computer & Communications Industry Association’s Space and Spectrum Policy Center outlines how reforms to our outdated space launch policy could propel the commercial space economy to new heights. Recent innovations in space technology have created new opportunities for commercial space activities, such as space-based data services, remote sensing, in-space manufacturing, commercial space stations, and lunar activities. While launch companies are introducing new vehicles capable of delivering larger payloads at a higher cadence, they encounter multiple challenges along the way. In this report, CCIA recommends that the federal government increase investments in spaceport infrastructure and modernize regulations around spaceport development and launch activities. A one-pager of the recommendations can be found here.
Highlights of launch constraints:
- 175 of 176 orbital launches from the U.S. occurred at just 3 federally owned spaceports.
- Spaceport infrastructure has been severely underfunded – $1.5M in FAA STIM grants have been approved in the last 30 years.
- Launch and re-entry activities are poorly integrated into air traffic management systems. Of the 22 NEPA reviews for active launch and re-entry licences in 2023, 19 were based on previous assessments, and all the reviews found the environmental impacts to be below significant levels.
- The FAA’s Part 450 licensing framework is needlessly complex and opaque, and often leads to longer processing times than the framework it replaced.
- A growing number of close U.S. allies are developing their own launch capabilities, but U.S. companies face export control obstacles to gain access.
The following can be attributed to Karina Perez, Director of CCIA’s Space & Spectrum Policy Center:
“The current spaceport infrastructure and the regulatory frameworks are stretched to their limits. By investing in spaceport infrastructure and updating regulations to match the pace of industry, we can create a sustainable, robust, and diversified space economy that will benefit all.”
