Reps Soto, Flores Introduce LAUNCHES Act to Streamline Space Launch Communications

Reps Darren Soto (D-FL) and Bill Flores (R-TX) introduced the Leveraging American Understanding of Next-generation Challenges Exploring Space (LAUNCHES) Act, a bill that will eliminate unnecessary barriers that hamper the ability of private companies to obtain spectrum licenses required to launch rockets from US soil into space. The legislation:

• Requires the Federal Communications Commission to streamline the launch authorization process for commercial launches, which would eliminate the special temporary authority (STA) process, permit multi-launch authorizations and automate the frequency review process.
• Is consistent with Space Policy Directive-2, issued by the President in May 2018, to streamline federal spectrum regulations and minimize regulatory burdens.