What does Preamble of LAUNCH Act do?

This bill, formally titled 'To streamline the application of regulations relating to commercial space launch and reentry requirements and licensing of private remote sensing space systems, and for other purposes,' aims to streamline regulations related to commercial space launch, reentry, and private remote sensing space systems. The bill's stated purpose is to streamline the application of regulations concerning commercial space activities.

What does SHORT TITLE. of LAUNCH Act do?

This bill is formally titled the "Licensing Aerospace Units to New Commercial Heights Act" or the "LAUNCH Act".

What does STREAMLINING REGULATIONS RELATING TO COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH of LAUNCH Act do?

This section directs the Secretary of Transportation to evaluate the implementation of part 450 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, and its impacts on the commercial spaceflight industry within 120 days of the Act's enactment. The evaluation must assess whether part 450 has caused increased uncertainty, operational delays, and changes to review timelines. The Secretary must submit a report to Congress within 90 days of completing the review, including findings, recommendations for reducing delays and inefficiencies (excluding those relying solely on additional personnel or funding), and a timeline/funding estimate for implementing those recommendations. The Secretary is directed to continue supporting an Aerospace Rulemaking Committee to facilitate industry participation in developing recommendations for amendments to part 450. The Secretary must ensure the Aerospace Rulemaking Committee's activities do not duplicate those of the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee. The Secretary is tasked with ongoing assessment of license requirements under chapter 509 of title 51, United States Code, to identify opportunities for modification or elimination to encourage innovation. Section 50905(a)(2) of title 51, United States Code, is amended to require the Secretary to accept reasonable safety rationales proposed by license applicants, including new approaches. The Secretary must assign a licensing team lead to each license applicant to streamline the application review and approval process. Section 50905(d) of title 51, United States Code, is amended to streamline review processes, including timely adjudication and elimination of duplicative reviews with other agencies regarding Federal range use.

What does DIGITAL LICENSING, PERMITTING, AND APPROVAL SYSTEM. of LAUNCH Act do?

This section amends title 51 of the United States Code to establish a digital licensing, permitting, and approval system. The Secretary is required to develop and maintain this system within 60 days of enactment to track license and permit applications. The system must provide status information to applicants and include data on application receipt, agency review, information requests, and approval/denial dates. The Secretary must make this information publicly available on a Department of Transportation website, updated at least quarterly. Applicants will receive electronic notifications regarding application status, including receipt, completeness determination, processing initiation, interagency review, and approval/denial. The Secretary is directed to utilize a commercially available, off-the-shelf system to implement this. An application is considered complete if all required information is submitted in a standard digital format. Up to $5,000,000 from fiscal year 2025 FAA funding for Commercial Space Transportation Safety Research and Development may be used to develop the system.

What does ANNUAL BRIEFING ON GOVERNMENT PROCESSING OF COMMERCIAL SPACE of LAUNCH Act do?

This section mandates an annual briefing to Congress regarding the processing of commercial space launch and reentry licenses. The Secretary must provide this briefing no later than March 31 each year. The briefing must include data on application processing times, tolling durations, and instances exceeding statutory review timelines. The Secretary must describe efforts to streamline the application review process. The briefing must summarize information generated by the digital licensing system. The Secretary must assess whether the application review process supports the global competitiveness of the U.S. commercial space industry. The 'appropriate committees of Congress' are defined as specific committees in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

What does DIRECT HIRE FOR OFFICE OF COMMERCIAL SPACE TRANSPORTATION. of LAUNCH Act do?

This section directs the Secretary of Transportation to utilize direct hire authorities to hire individuals for positions related to space launch and reentry licensing and permit activities. These direct hires can be made on a noncompetitive basis, referencing existing direct hire authorities. The Secretary of Transportation must submit an annual report to specified Senate and House committees regarding the use of these direct hiring authorities. The annual report concerns positions within the Commercial Space Transportation Administration related to commercial space launch and reentry licensing and permit activities.

What does ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMERCIAL SPACE TRANSPORTATION of LAUNCH Act do?

This section amends Chapter 509 of Title 51, United States Code. It establishes a Commercial Space Transportation Administration within the Department of Transportation. The Administration will be headed by an Administrator who reports to the Secretary of Transportation. The Administrator will exercise the authorities of the Secretary of Transportation regarding commercial space launch and reentry activities.

What does FLIGHT SAFETY ANALYSIS WORKFORCE. of LAUNCH Act do?

This section expresses the sense of Congress that flight safety analysis is critical for commercial space launches and reentries. It recognizes existing expertise in flight safety analysis within the Department of Defense, Department of Transportation, and NASA. The section mandates a report within 180 days of enactment identifying roles, responsibilities, expertise, and knowledge related to flight safety analysis within the Federal Government. The report must be submitted to the Senate and House committees on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Armed Services, Science, Space, and Technology. Following the report, the Secretary may enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of Defense and NASA to allow Federal range personnel to support flight safety analysis for commercial space activities.

What does STREAMLINING LICENSING OF PRIVATE REMOTE SENSING SPACE SYSTEMS. of LAUNCH Act do?

This section amends Section 60121(a)(2) of Title 51, United States Code, to exclude certain instruments from remote sensing regulations. Instruments used primarily for mission assurance or technical purposes, such as supporting launch vehicle health or space operations safety, are not considered to be conducting remote sensing. The Secretary has the authority to determine in writing which instruments fall under this exclusion. Section 60121 of Title 51 is amended to require the Secretary to assign a dedicated licensing officer to applicants for licenses. This licensing officer is tasked with facilitating the application process, minimizing license conditions, and expediting review and approval. Section 60122(b)(3) of Title 51 is amended to reflect the restructuring of Section 60121. The Secretary is directed to provide transparency and engagement with applicants throughout the licensing process, including specifying the basis for tiering determinations. The Secretary must minimize timelines for reviewing commercial remote sensing licensing applications. The Secretary must annually reevaluate criteria for satellite system tiering, aiming to expedite the recategorization of Tier 3 systems to lower tiers without temporary license conditions.

What does GAO REPORT. of LAUNCH Act do?

This section requires the Comptroller General of the United States to submit a report to specified congressional committees within one year of the Act's enactment. The report must assess the Department of Commerce's policies, regulations, and practices concerning the private remote sensing space industry. The assessment should evaluate whether these policies promote or inhibit a robust domestic private remote sensing industry. The report must include recommendations for the Secretary of Commerce to promote U.S. industry leadership in private remote sensing. Recommendations include evaluating the costs and benefits of on-site ground station visits, defining material facts in license applications, incorporating industry feedback, and increasing Department transparency.

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LAUNCH Act

Last updated: 6/5/2025 · Introduced: 6/5/2025

Author: John Cornyn (R-TX)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill directs the Department of Transportation to evaluate and streamline regulations related to commercial space launch activities, aiming to reduce delays and inefficiencies.
It establishes a digital licensing system to track commercial space applications, provide status updates to applicants, and make data publicly available.
The bill creates a Commercial Space Transportation Administration within the Department of Transportation, headed by an Administrator, to oversee commercial space launch and reentry activities.
It excludes certain instruments used for mission assurance from remote sensing regulations, and mandates dedicated licensing officers to expedite the review and approval of private remote sensing space system licenses.
The Government Accountability Office will assess the Department of Commerce’s policies impacting the private remote sensing space industry and provide recommendations to promote U.S. leadership.

119th Congressin committeeHR. 5602(In Committee)Official page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 8 more.

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