LAUNCH Act
Sponsored By: Senator John Cornyn
Introduced
Summary
Modernize and speed up commercial space licensing to shorten review times for launches, reentries, and private remote sensing while keeping safety and coordinated federal oversight. This bill would create new offices, digital tools, and rules to reduce uncertainty for applicants.
Show full summary
- Commercial space companies and launch applicants would get clearer, faster reviews with assigned licensing team leads, a continuing Aerospace Rulemaking Committee to advise on Part 450, and a digital licensing system that provides public status and quarterly updates.
- Federal space and safety workers would see hiring flexibility and coordination changes. The bill would authorize noncompetitive direct-hire authority for the Office of Commercial Space Transportation and require an interagency memorandum of understanding for range and flight safety support.
- Private remote sensing firms would get targeted licensing help and transparency. The bill clarifies regulatory authority for some instruments, sets a dedicated licensing officer, requires expedited review criteria and annual tier reassessments, and orders a GAO report on Commerce Department policies within one year.
*Authorizes up to $5.0 million in FY2025 from FAA Commercial Space Transportation Safety Research and Development to build the digital licensing, permitting, and approval system.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More federal support for flight safety
If enacted, DOT would have to accept reasonable safety approaches proposed by launch applicants when they meet applicable standards. The Secretary would continually look for license rules that can be modified or removed to encourage innovation. DOT would speed up incremental reviews and reduce duplicate interagency checks, especially those tied to Federal ranges. Within 180 days, DOT would report on flight-safety analysis roles across Defense, DOT, and NASA. After that report, DOT could sign an MOU to let Federal range staff support commercial flight-safety analysis.
Online license tracking and case help
If enacted, DOT would have to build an online licensing, permitting, and approval system within 60 days to accept and track applications. The system would send immediate electronic notices at key steps and post application status publicly at least quarterly. An application would be "complete" when the applicant digitally submits all required information. For FY2025, up to $5,000,000 of FAA Commercial Space Transportation Safety R&D funds could be used to build the system. If enacted, DOT would also assign each applicant a licensing team lead and a dedicated licensing officer to help move applications and reduce extra license conditions.
Simpler rules for private remote sensing
If enacted, the Secretary could say in writing that instruments used mainly for mission assurance are not "remote sensing." Examples include sensors for vehicle health, navigation, safety, and self-images. DOT would have to tell applicants the specific reasons for a satellite tiering decision. DOT would try to shorten remote sensing review timelines and would reevaluate tier rules each year to move Tier 3 systems to lower tiers quickly and without temporary license conditions.
New commercial space office and hiring
If enacted, DOT would create a Commercial Space Transportation Administration led by an Administrator who reports to the Secretary. The Administrator would exercise DOT authority over commercial launch and reentry. DOT would be allowed to hire space licensing staff using direct-hire rules as they existed the day before enactment. DOT would report annually to Congress on use of that hiring authority. If enacted, DOT would also continue an Aerospace Rulemaking Committee for industry input, as long as it does not duplicate the existing advisory committee.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
John Cornyn
TX • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 6/5/2025
Rick Scott
FL • R
Sponsored 6/5/2025
Mark Kelly
AZ • D
Sponsored 6/5/2025
Ashley Moody
FL • R
Sponsored 6/11/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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