WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott, Senator John Cornyn, and bipartisan colleagues reintroduced the Licensing Aerospace Units to New Commercial Heights (LAUNCH) Act. The bill will cut government red tape and duplicative regulations to help streamline the approval process for commercial space launches and the licensing of private remote sensing satellites. This legislation is endorsed by the Commercial Spaceflight Federation.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Florida’s Space Coast is where our nation’s brightest minds innovate and help America reach for the stars. This incredible growth and success have been driven by effective public and private partnerships pushing our nation to the forefront of space exploration. I’m honored to work alongside my colleagues in introducing the LAUNCH Act to eliminate unnecessary government bureaucracy and support American businesses in the space industry.”

Senator John Cornyn said, “As the pace of China’s space ambitions accelerate, the Federal Aviation Administration must be able to approve commercial space launches quickly and efficiently in order to maintain our competitive edge. By reducing bureaucratic hurdles for innovators, this legislation would drive scientific advancement and ensure America stays one step ahead of our adversaries in space and beyond.”  

Senator Ben Ray Luján said, “New Mexico is already at the forefront of our country’s leadership in space exploration and innovation. Ranging from Spaceport America, to Kirtland Air Force Base, and White Sands Missile Range, our state's success is clear and should be supported. That's why I’m proud to join Senator Cornyn to introduce this bipartisan legislation that will streamline federal oversight for commercial space flights. This bill will ensure regulations are modernized and up-to-date, allowing New Mexico to continue our leadership.”

Senator Mark Kelly said, “Outdated regulations shouldn’t hold back the advancement of commercial spaceflight. The LAUNCH Act will support innovation and increase competition in the commercial space industry by modernizing the regulations that govern launch and reentry.”

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