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U.S. Department of Transportation

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The Department of Transportation (DOT), through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), plays a crucial regulatory role in the U.S. commercial space transportation industry. It is responsible for licensing and overseeing commercial space launch and reentry operations, ensuring public safety, protecting property, and considering national security and foreign policy interests. The DOT also encourages and facilitates the growth of the commercial space sector, working with partners like NASA and the Department of Defense to streamline regulations and promote innovation.

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All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved on 2019-09-19 a bill that funds the Department of Transportation, which includes the FAA, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

LegalFinancialValue 2.0Sep 26, 2019Senate appropriators weigh in on commercial launch regulatory reform

The National Space Council instructed the Commerce Department to report, within 90 days, on commercial space activities not regulated by U.S. agencies and to work with the Department of Transportation to provide a roadmap enabling current and evolving U.S. commercial space activities to receive authorization under appropriate federal regulatory frameworks.

LegalPlanValue 4.0Aug 20, 2019Space Council recommendations address exploration and management concerns

SPD-2 directed the Department of Transportation, through the Federal Aviation Administration, to publish proposed revisions to commercial launch and reentry regulations by 2019-02-01.

LegalPlanValue 4.0Mar 29, 2019Lagging progress on commercial space policy

The revised Space Frontier Act requires the Department of Transportation to issue final rules on revised commercial launch regulations by 2020-02-01.

LegalGeneralValue 4.0Mar 29, 2019Senate reintroduces Space Frontier Act

Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao awarded commercial astronaut wings to Mark “Forger” Stucky and Frederick “CJ” Sturckow in a 2019-02-07 ceremony at DOT headquarters.

GovernanceLegalValue 4.0Feb 10, 2019Virgin Galactic pilots join an exclusive club with FAA astronaut wings

Space Policy Directive 2, announced in 2018-02-01, set a 2019-02-01 deadline for the Department of Transportation to rescind or revise launch regulations or publish proposed rules rescinding or revising those regulations.

LegalValue 3.8Feb 5, 2019Shutdown delays proposed revisions to launch licensing regulations

Space Policy Directive 2, signed by President Trump in May, directs the Department of Transportation through the FAA to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking by 2018-02-01.

LegalPlanValue 3.0Nov 29, 2018Former Air Force general picked to lead FAA commercial space office

Space Policy Directive 2, signed by President Trump in May, directs the Department of Transportation through the Federal Aviation Administration to review existing commercial launch and reentry regulations and develop proposals for revising them to minimize uncertainty and encourage American leadership in space commerce.

LegalGeneralValue 3.8Oct 28, 2018Commercial launch industry seeks updates on regulatory reform work

Sen. James Inhofe’s amendment to S. 3277 directs the Department of Transportation to perform a study on the joint use of military facilities for both government and commercial launches, including the feasibility of increasing the number of military installations that could host commercial launches and reentries.

PlanLegalValue 3.0Aug 1, 2018Commercial space bill clears Senate committee

S. 3277 gives the Department of Transportation, through the Federal Aviation Administration, the ability to use the payload review portion of the launch licensing process to authorize non-traditional space activities not overseen by other agencies.

LegalGeneralValue 4.0Aug 1, 2018Commercial space bill clears Senate committee

H.R. 5346 directs the Department of Transportation, through the Federal Aviation Administration, to issue licenses and experimental permits for space support vehicles that include aircraft flights providing training for or research supporting commercial launches.

LegalValue 3.5Jun 28, 2018House passes two space bills

Space Policy Directive 2 calls on the Department of Transportation to streamline launch licensing regulations by 2018-02-01.

LegalPlanValue 2.0Jun 28, 2018House passes two space bills

Space Policy Directive 2, signed by President Trump on 2018-05-24, directs the Department of Transportation, through the Federal Aviation Administration, to develop revised regulations for licensing of commercial launches and reentries.

LegalValue 4.0Jun 26, 2018Hearing raises questions about pace of commercial launch regulatory overhaul

SPD-2 calls on the Department of Transportation to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking for the directed regulatory changes no later than 2018-02-01.

LegalValue 1.2Jun 8, 2018Senate bill increases funding for FAA commercial space office but seeks regulatory reform

Space Policy Directive 2 (SPD-2) was signed by President Trump on 2018-05-24 directing the Department of Transportation to rescind or revise regulations for commercial launches and reentries.

LegalGeneralValue 4.0Jun 8, 2018Senate bill increases funding for FAA commercial space office but seeks regulatory reform
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