A new proposal would allow the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to waive requirements under 13 federal environmental and natural-resource laws when reviewing certain commercial space licenses and permits. The proposal would apply to licenses for space launch and reentry vehicles, launch and reentry sites and experimental flight permits. “Commercial space activity is surging, and we must do everything safely possible to support this vital sector,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said. The FAA authorized a record 204 commercial space operations during fiscal year 2025. The FAA acknowledged that, in some cases, waiving its review could shift responsibility to another federal agency rather than eliminate the review entirely.