A proposed rule released today would allow DOT to waive “unnecessary environmental laws and regulations” to spur American innovation. In 1995, the Office of Commercial Space Transportation was moved from the Secretary’s office to the FAA, one of DOT’s nine operating administrations. During his first term, President Trump directed DOT to modernize and streamline commercial space transportation regulations, which was completed in 2020. The Commercial Space Federation, an industry group that represents many of the commercial space launch and reentry companies, praised the proposed rule. [Update: the proposed rule was published on July 30 and comments are due by August 31, 2026.]