U.S. Department of Transportation creates SPACE task force

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has established the Space Policy Administration, Coordination, and Execution (SPACE) task force to implement the National Space Transportation Policy. The initiative aims to coordinate space policy activities across various departmental branches, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Office of Research and Technology.

Key objectives of the task force include streamlining regulations, expanding launch infrastructure, and improving the integration of space activities with airspace management. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that the goal is to ensure the United States maintains leadership in commercial space innovation, specifically to compete with China. The department anticipates a significant increase in activity, projecting a rise from 217 commercial launches in 2025 to approximately 10,000 FAA-licensed launches and re-entries annually by 2035.

The task force will be led by Under Secretary for Policy Ryan McCormack and will bring together experts from multiple offices to develop a unified commercial space transportation strategy intended to strengthen national security.