Trump sets new rules for corporations in space

President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting March 8 at the White House. President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting March 8 at the White House. Photo: Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post Photo: Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Trump sets new rules for corporations in space 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

WASHINGTON — The White House took the latest step Thursday in overhauling commercial space rules and licensing with a directive that sets up a “one-stop shop” in the Department of Commerce.

Space Policy Directive-2, signed by President Donald Trump at the White House, spells out new policies for an industry described as “undergoing incredible transformation” but operating in a regulatory system “woefully out of date.”

“The president is committed to ensuring that the federal government gets out of the way and unleashes private enterprise to support the economic success of the United States,” the document states.

The directive is a continuation of the Trump administration’s deregulatory push across government. The Trump administration intends to minimize uncertainty for taxpayers, investors and the commercial space sector while protecting national security and encouraging American leadership in space commerce.

The president ordered the Transportation Department to devise a new regulatory structure governing launch and re-entry activities while the Commerce Department establishes “a one-stop shop” for regulations governing space activities. Federal agencies also are assigned to report to the White House on ways to improve global competitiveness of American space radio frequency spectrum policies.

John Logsdon, founder of George Washington University’s GW’s Space Policy Institute, said the directive reflects complaints from the industry that government rules are a barrier to operations in space.

“I think this is a significant step toward making it easier for the private sector to explore profit-making potential in space while still protecting the public interest,” he said.

The new White House directives replace Obama administration policies spelled out in 2010. Among initiatives since Trump took office, the White House revived the National Space Council and installed Vice President Mike Pence as its head.

Space Policy Directive 1 issued in December redirected NASA’s focus from potential exploration of Mars to returning astronauts to the moon, in collaboration with private companies. That document was vague as to when and how.

In March, the White House issued an “America First Space Strategy,” calling for “a whole-of-government approach to United States leadership in space, in close partnership with the private sector and our allies.”

The White House 2019 budget request spells out plans to begin transition to commercialization of low Earth orbit and end direct government support of the International Space Station in 2015.

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