# 119-s-1961: LAUNCH Act

119-s-1961, LAUNCH Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX] (R-TX); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-10).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1961
- As of: 2026-09-10
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-1961
- Congress: 119
- Title: LAUNCH Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-06-05
- Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX] (R-TX)
- Cosponsors: 4
- Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-10

## 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. - 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.*

## Cosponsors (4)

- Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM] (D-NM), 2025-06-05T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL] (R-FL), 2025-06-05T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ] (D-AZ), 2025-06-05T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Moody, Ashley [R-FL] (R-FL), 2025-06-11T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- More federal support for flight safety: benefit, medium. 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 dupl…
- Online license tracking and case help: benefit, medium. 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…
- Simpler rules for private remote sensing: benefit, medium. 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…
- New commercial space office and hiring: benefit, low. 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 e…

## Related bills

- 119-s-1071: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
- 119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act
- 119-s-545: Combating Illicit Xylazine Act
- 119-s-1816: Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025
- 119-s-1404: Combating Organized Retail Crime Act
- 119-s-1032: Major Richard Star Act

## Sources
- [119-s-1961 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1961)

## Related
- [119-s-1071: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1071)
- [119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1748)
- [119-s-545: Combating Illicit Xylazine Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-545)
- [119-s-1816: Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1816)
- [119-s-1404: Combating Organized Retail Crime Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1404)
- [119-s-1032: Major Richard Star Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1032)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1961 (as of 2026-09-10).