President Trump Signs Executive Order to Enable Competition in the Commercial Space Industry
On August 13, 2025 President Trump took bold action to unlock the heavens for American commerce. The Administration enacted Executive Order “Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry,” providing U.S. space entrepreneurs with long-sought regulatory guidance and enabling the continued development of the U.S. commercial space industry. With this Executive Order, the President directed Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to facilitate the promotion of the Office of Space Commerce (OSC) into the Office of the Secretary, allowing space commerce full recognition as an emerging frontier for the American economy and doubling down on fostering U.S. competitiveness in space.
“Sixty-seven years ago, America launched its first satellite into space ushering the world into a new era of innovation and advancement,” said Secretary Howard Lutnick. “Yesterday’s visionary Executive Order unlocks boundless opportunities for our nation’s space pioneers and empowers them to lead the world into the vast frontier of tomorrow.”
The American space industry leads the world in space innovation & entrepreneurship, but has increasingly been strangled by confusing regulations and burdensome, out-of-touch bureaucracy. The order also provides clarity for operators of unique space missions by directing the Department of Commerce to develop a one-stop shop process for authorizing “novel space activities,” unlocking the heavens for American commerce.
The Executive Order also moves the OSC out of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), where it currently resides, and allows the OSC to report directly to the highest level of the Commerce Department, affording the sector a vocal advocate within the government. The move signals the Trump Administration’s recognition of the industry’s importance to the U.S. economy and status as the global leaders in space.
“Innovation is key to pioneering the next frontier, and that starts by streamlining the regulatory landscape and reducing bureaucracy,” said Commerce Deputy Secretary Paul Dabbar. “America leads the world in innovation and space capabilities, including infrastructure development and exploratory missions. The Department of Commerce is committed to advancing U.S. leadership in the space sector as we continue to develop the world’s best commercial and scientific applications for space deployment.”
The Department of Commerce and OSC stand ready to work with partners in industry and across the government to clear the way for U.S. businesses to lead the way across the space frontier.
Read the Executive Order on the White House website.
Read the Executive Order Fact Sheet.
Commerce-Specific Highlights:
Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce shall elevate the Office of Space Commerce into the Office of the Secretary.
The Order instructs the Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Administrator of NASA, to evaluate State compliance with the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) and whether States are hindering spaceport infrastructure development under the CZMA, or otherwise placing limitations on spaceport development that are inconsistent with Federal law.
The Order mandates the creation of a streamlined process for authorizing novel space activities (missions not clearly or straightforwardly governed by existing regulatory frameworks) with the goal of enabling American space competitiveness and superiority in new space-based industries.