White House unveils 2026 National Space Transportation Policy blueprint
Published Date: 8/25/2026
Presidential Document
Summary
No summary available.
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 11 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
1,000+ Launches Per Year Goal
The memorandum directs that by 2030 U.S. space transportation ranges must grow to support more than 1,000 launches and reentries every year. This sets a national capacity target for launch activity through the year 2030.
Federal Ranges Open To Commercial Users
The Secretary of War and NASA must operate Federal launch and reentry ranges in a transparent way that accommodates government and non-government users, and agencies shall facilitate access to Federal launch and reentry sites for commercial users. This direction is meant to make Federal launch sites available to commercial operators.
Leases and Public-Private Co-Development
Agencies shall incentivize co-development of launch and reentry infrastructure by facilitating leases, commercial investment, and public-private partnerships for capital improvements on Federal property. This encourages private investment and lease opportunities on Federal property.
Expedited Permitting and Reviews
The memorandum requires agencies to expedite facility permitting and environmental reviews, consistent with Executive Order 14335 of August 13, 2025. This is intended to speed approvals needed for commercial launch and reentry operations.
New Launch Sites and Priority Airspace
Within 180 days the Secretary of Transportation must identify potential locations for additional launch facilities, report findings to the President, integrate launch management into airspace modernization, and designate priority airspace for critical launch corridors. This aims to expand physical and airspace capacity for launches.
Guaranteed Spectrum Access Reporting
The Secretary of Commerce and the FCC Chairman must ensure reliable access to spectrum for commercial and Federal space launch and reentry activities and must report to the President within 180 days and every 2 years thereafter on their approach. This aims to secure radio spectrum needed for launch and on-orbit operations.
Designated Federal Reentry Site Development
The Secretary of the Interior must identify Federal lands to serve as a designated Federal land reentry site within 90 days, the Secretary of Transportation must evaluate reentry safety criteria within 180 days, and the Secretary of Commerce must produce a development plan within 240 days that considers commercial access, infrastructure, and co-development.
Industrial Base Strategy & Workforce Programs
Within 180 days the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology must coordinate a space transportation industrial base strategy that promotes a competitive industry, supports workforce development and retention, military transition pathways, and government-industry exchanges; the strategy is to be reviewed every 2 years.
U.S.-Manufactured Vehicles For Government Payloads
Heads of agencies must ensure U.S. Government payloads are launched on vehicles manufactured in the United States, except for (i) international programs with no-exchange-of-funds agreements, (ii) secondary mission technology demonstrations where no comparable U.S. launch is available, and (iii) hosted payload arrangements on non-U.S.-owned spacecraft.
Favor Commercial Services & Ridesharing
The memorandum directs agency launch agents to favor commercial space transportation services, refrain from government activities that compete with commercial providers (unless needed for safety or national security), and to provide and coordinate ridesharing and hosted payload opportunities to maximize launch and reentry resources.
Range Scheduling Transparency
Within 180 days the Secretary of War, coordinated with NASA and other agencies, must develop Federal range scheduling criteria to maximize efficient use for commercial users and must regularly publish range schedules to ensure transparent allocation of resources.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-17374, Continuation of the Exercise of Certain Authorities Under the Trading With the Enemy Act
2026-17294, Temporary Suspension of Additional Duties To Offset Canadian Discrimination Against the Commerce of the United States With Respect to Alcoholic Beverages, Dairy, and Motor Vehicles
2026-16979, Adjusting Imports of Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Unmanned Aircraft Systems Components Into the United States
2026-16589, Paperwork Reduction Act; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Revisions of Currently Approved Collection: Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program and Community-Based Coalition Enhancement Grants To Address Local Drug Crisis (CARA) Local Drug Crisis Program National Evaluation
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) announces it will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) an information collection request.
2026-16748, Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Export Control Regulations
2026-16730, Delivering Gold Standard Childhood Vaccine Recommendations for Americans
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-17294, Temporary Suspension of Additional Duties To Offset Canadian Discrimination Against the Commerce of the United States With Respect to Alcoholic Beverages, Dairy, and Motor Vehicles
Next: 2026-17374, Continuation of the Exercise of Certain Authorities Under the Trading With the Enemy Act