I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 5602 
To streamline the application of regulations relating to commercial space 
launch and reentry requirements and licensing of private remote sensing 
space systems, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 
Mr. PFLUGER (for himself and Mr. WHITESIDES) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
A BILL 
To streamline the application of regulations relating to com-
mercial space launch and reentry requirements and li-
censing of private remote sensing space systems, and 
for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Licensing Aerospace 
Units to New Commercial Heights Act’’ or the ‘‘LAUNCH 
Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. STREAMLINING REGULATIONS RELATING TO COM-
MERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH AND REENTRY RE-
QUIREMENTS. 
(a) EVALUATION
OF IMPLEMENTATION
OF PART 
450.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Transportation (referred to in this Act as 
the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall evaluate the implementation 
of part 450 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations 
(in this section referred to as ‘‘part 450’’) and the 
impacts of part 450 on the commercial spaceflight 
industry. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The evaluation required by 
paragraph (1) shall include an assessment of— 
(A) whether increased uncertainty in the 
commercial spaceflight industry has resulted 
from the implementation of part 450; 
(B) whether part 450 has resulted in oper-
ational delays to launch; and 
(C) whether timelines for reviews have 
changed, including an assessment of the impact 
of the incremental review process on those 
timelines and the root cause for multiple re-
views, if applicable. 
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(3) REPORT
REQUIRED.—Not later than 90 
days after completing the review required by para-
graph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology of the House of Representatives a 
report that includes— 
(A) the findings of the review; 
(B) recommendations for reducing delays 
and inefficiencies resulting from part 450 that 
do not rely solely on additional personnel or 
funding; and 
(C) an estimate for a timeline and funding 
for implementing the recommendations de-
scribed in subparagraph (B). 
(b) RULEMAKING COMMITTEE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall continue 
to support an Aerospace Rulemaking Committee for 
the commercial space transportation industry, com-
prised of established and emerging United States 
commercial space launch and reentry services pro-
viders (including providers that hold, and providers 
that have applied for but not yet received, licenses 
issued under chapter 509 of title 51, United States 
Code)— 
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(A) to facilitate industry participation in 
developing recommendations for amendments to 
part 450 to address the challenges identified in 
conducting the review required by subsection 
(a) or under paragraph (2) of section 50905(d) 
of title 51, United States Code (as added by 
subsection (d)(3)); and 
(B) to provide a long-term forum for the 
United States commercial spaceflight industry 
to share perspectives relating to regulations af-
fecting the industry. 
(2) PREVENTION OF DUPLICATIVE EFFORTS.— 
The Secretary shall ensure that an Aerospace Rule-
making Committee established under this subsection 
does not provide services or make efforts that are 
duplicative of the services provided and efforts made 
by the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory 
Committee. 
(c) ENCOURAGEMENT
OF INNOVATION.—The Sec-
retary shall, on an ongoing basis, determine whether any 
requirements for a license issued under chapter 509 of 
title 51, United States Code, can be modified or eliminated 
to encourage innovative new technologies and operations. 
(d) MODIFICATIONS TO REQUIREMENTS AND PROCE-
DURES FOR LICENSE APPLICATIONS.— 
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amended by striking the end period and inserting 
the following: ‘‘, including by— 
‘‘(1) adjudicating determinations with respect 
to such applications and revisions to such determina-
tions in a timely manner as part of the incremental 
review process under section 450.33 of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation); 
and 
‘‘(2) eliminating and streamlining duplicative 
review processes with other agencies, particularly re-
lating to the use of Federal ranges or requirements 
to use the assets of Federal ranges.’’. 
SEC. 3. DIGITAL LICENSING, PERMITTING, AND APPROVAL 
SYSTEM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 50905 of title 51, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(e) DIGITAL LICENSING, PERMITTING, AND AP-
PROVAL SYSTEM.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph 
(4), not later than 60 days after the date of the 
enactment of this subsection, the Secretary 
shall develop and maintain a digital licensing, 
permitting, and approval system— 
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‘‘(i) to accept, track, and provide rel-
evant status information regarding each li-
cense or permit application under this 
chapter, beginning with receipt of the ini-
tial application through final approval or 
denial of the application; and 
‘‘(ii) to provide notifications to an ap-
plicant with respect to the status of such 
an application. 
‘‘(B) ELEMENTS.—The system required by 
subparagraph (A) shall include, at a minimum, 
information on— 
‘‘(i) the date on which an application 
was received by the Secretary; 
‘‘(ii) each date on which the applica-
tion was referred to any other agency of 
the Federal Government for review, as ap-
plicable; 
‘‘(iii) each date on which additional 
information was requested from the appli-
cant, as applicable; 
‘‘(iv) the date on which the Secretary 
notified the applicant of a final approval or 
denial of the application; and 
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‘‘(v) the overall rate of success of such 
system in meeting the timelines set forth 
in this section. 
‘‘(2) PUBLIC
AVAILABILITY.—The Secretary 
shall— 
‘‘(A) make the information maintained by 
the system required by paragraph (1) available 
on a publicly accessible website of the Depart-
ment of Transportation; and 
‘‘(B) ensure that such information is up-
dated on such website not less frequently than 
quarterly. 
‘‘(3) NOTIFICATION.—With respect to an appli-
cation for a license or permit under this chapter, the 
Secretary shall provide through the digital licensing, 
permitting, and approval system developed under 
this subsection electronic notification to an appli-
cant— 
‘‘(A) immediately on— 
‘‘(i) receipt of a license or permit ap-
plication; 
‘‘(ii) a determination under subsection 
(f) that an application received by the Sec-
retary is complete; 
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‘‘(iii) initiation of application proc-
essing; 
‘‘(iv) transmission of the application, 
in whole or part, for interagency review, as 
applicable, and such notification shall in-
clude an identification of the 1 or more 
agencies with which application informa-
tion is shared; and 
‘‘(v) approval or denial of the applica-
tion; and 
‘‘(B) with respect to— 
‘‘(i) any question proposed by the Sec-
retary to the applicant; 
‘‘(ii) responses provided to the Sec-
retary by any agency involved in inter-
agency review, as applicable; and 
‘‘(iii) any other status update the Sec-
retary considers necessary. 
‘‘(4) EXISTING
SYSTEMS.—In carrying out 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall utilize a commer-
cially available system that can be used off-the-shelf. 
‘‘(f) COMPLETE APPLICATION.—An application sub-
mitted under this section shall be considered complete if, 
at the time of electronic submission, the applicant has pro-
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vided in standard digital format all information required 
under subsection (b).’’. 
(b) FUNDING.—Of the amounts made available for 
the Federal Aviation Administration for Commercial 
Space Transportation Safety Research and Development 
for fiscal year 2025, not more than $5,000,000 may be 
made available to develop the digital licensing, permitting, 
and approval system described in section 50905(e) of title 
51, United States Code. 
SEC. 4. ANNUAL BRIEFING ON GOVERNMENT PROCESSING 
OF COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH AND RE-
ENTRY LICENSES. 
(a) REQUIREMENT.—Not later than March 31 each 
calendar year, the Secretary shall brief the appropriate 
committees of Congress on the licensing and permitting 
process for space activities required by section 50905 of 
title 51, United States Code. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The briefing required by subsection 
(a) shall include, with respect to the preceding calendar 
year, the following: 
(1) The average number of days that elapsed 
between the date on which an application is sub-
mitted and the date on which an applicant receives 
final approval or denial of the application. 
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(2) The frequency and average duration of toll-
ing against submitted applications. 
(3) The number of applications reviewed that 
exceeded the statutorily provided review timelines. 
(4) A description of efforts made by the Sec-
retary to streamline, under section 50905(d) of title 
51, United States Code, the processes required for 
review of applications. 
(5) A summary of the information generated by 
the digital licensing, permitting, and approval sys-
tem established under section 50905(e) of title 51, 
United States Code, including any additional infor-
mation the Secretary considers relevant with respect 
to the function or processes of such system. 
(6) An assessment as to whether the application 
review process operates in a manner that encourages 
the global competitiveness of the commercial space 
industry of the United States. 
(c) APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS DE-
FINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘appropriate commit-
tees of Congress’’ means— 
(1) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation and the Committee on Appropria-
tions of the Senate; and 
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SEC. 6. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMERCIAL SPACE TRANS-
PORTATION ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 509 of title 51, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 50902 
the following: 
‘‘§ 50902A. Commercial Space Transportation Admin-
istration 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established within 
the Department of Transportation a Commercial Space 
Transportation Administration. 
‘‘(b) LEADERSHIP.—The Commercial Space Trans-
portation Administration shall be headed by an Adminis-
trator, who shall report directly to the Secretary of Trans-
portation. 
‘‘(c) DUTIES.—The Administrator of the Commercial 
Space Transportation Administration shall exercise the 
authorities of the Secretary of Transportation with respect 
to commercial space launch and reentry activities, includ-
ing the authorities provided under this chapter.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of chapter 509 of such title is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 50902 the 
following: 
‘‘50902A. Commercial Space Transportation Administration.’’. 
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SEC. 7. FLIGHT SAFETY ANALYSIS WORKFORCE. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) flight safety analysis is critical to maintain-
ing a high level of public safety for commercial space 
launches from, and reentries to, Federal ranges; 
(2) significant expertise in flight safety analysis 
exists within the Department of Defense, the De-
partment of Transportation, and the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration; and 
(3) the increasing pace of commercial launch 
and reentries requires greater cooperation among 
the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary, and the Ad-
ministrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration to support commercial launch and 
reentry activities at Federal ranges. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation 
with the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, shall 
submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation and the Committee on Armed Services of 
the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology and the Committee on Armed Services of the 
House of Representatives a report that identifies roles, re-
sponsibilities, expertise, and knowledge that exists within 
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the executive branch of the Federal Government relating 
to analysis of flight safety for space launch and reentry 
activities. 
(c) MEMORANDUM
OF
UNDERSTANDING.—Upon 
completion of the report required by subsection (b), the 
Secretary may enter into a memorandum of understanding 
with the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to 
allow Federal range personnel to support flight safety 
analysis required for the licensing of commercial space 
launch and reentry activities. 
SEC. 8. STREAMLINING LICENSING OF PRIVATE REMOTE 
SENSING SPACE SYSTEMS. 
(a) CLARIFICATION
OF REMOTE SENSING REGU-
LATORY
AUTHORITY
OVER
CERTAIN
IMAGING
SYS-
TEMS.—Section 60121(a)(2) of title 51, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ‘‘In-
struments determined by the Secretary in writing to be 
used primarily for mission assurance or other technical 
purposes shall not be considered to be conducting remote 
sensing. Instruments used primarily for mission assurance 
or other technical purposes are instruments used to sup-
port the health of the launch vehicle or the operator’s 
spacecraft or the safety of the operator’s space operations, 
including instruments used to support on-board self-moni-
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toring for technical assurance, flight reliability, spaceflight 
safety, navigation, attitude control, separation events, pay-
load deployments, or instruments collecting self-images.’’. 
(b) FACILITATION OF LICENSE APPLICATIONS AND 
ASSISTANCE TO APPLICANTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 60121 of title 51, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(A) by redesignating subsections (d) and 
(e) as subsections (e) and (f), respectively; and 
(B) by inserting after subsection (c) the 
following: 
‘‘(d) ASSIGNMENT OF DEDICATED LICENSING OFFI-
CER.—The Secretary shall assign a licensing officer to 
oversee the application of the applicant for a license under 
subsection (a). The licensing officer shall assist the appli-
cant by facilitating the application process, minimizing li-
cense conditions, and expediting the review and approval 
of the application, to the extent authorized by law.’’. 
(2) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 
60122(b)(3) of title 51, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘section 60121(e)’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘section 60121(f)’’. 
(c) TRANSPARENCY AND EXPEDITIOUS REVIEW OF 
LICENSES.—In carrying out the authorities under sub-
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chapter III of chapter 601 of title 51, United States Code, 
the Secretary shall— 
(1) provide transparency to and engagement 
with applicants throughout the licensing process, in-
cluding by stating with specificity to the applicant or 
licensee what basis caused the tiering determination 
of the license; 
(2) minimize the timelines for review of com-
mercial remote sensing licensing applications; and 
(3) not less frequently than annually, reevaluate 
the criteria for the tiering of satellite systems, with 
a goal of expeditiously recategorizing Tier 3 systems 
to a lower tier without temporary license conditions. 
SEC. 9. GAO REPORT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall submit to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives a report on the policies, regula-
tions, and practices of the Department of Commerce (re-
ferred to in this section as the ‘‘Department’’) with respect 
to the private remote sensing space industry. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report required by subsection 
(a) shall include the following: 
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