DOT launches SPACE task force to drive U.S. commercial space growth

The Department of Transportation created the SPACE task force to coordinate the agency's space policy work and execute the National Space Transportation Policy set by President Donald Trump. The policy recommends enlarging launch infrastructure, streamlining regulatory processes, and aligning space activities across the department. Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted that the United States conducted 217 of the world's 329 commercial launches in 2025 and targets 10,000 FAA-licensed launches and re-entries each year by 2035, positioning the effort against China.

The task force, named the Space Policy Administration, Coordination, and Execution, will be headed by Under Secretary for Policy Ryan McCormack. It will include experts from the FAA and DOT's Office of General Counsel, Office of Research and Technology, Office of Transportation Policy, Office of Multimodal Freight Policy, and Office of Aviation and International Affairs to develop a cohesive commercial space transportation plan.