Commercial expendable launch vehicle activities

Impact dates

1. Feb 24, 1984

   EO effective immediately

Key directives

• DOT designated lead agency for commercial ELV activities
• Secretary of Transportation to serve as focal point for private sector space launch contacts
• DOT to promote commercial ELV operations as other private enterprises are promoted
• DOT to establish expedited procedures for licensing and launch ranges
• DOT to serve as single point of contact for licensing documentation
• DOT to recommend administrative streamlining measures to agencies and President
• DOT to identify adverse statutes/treaties/regulations and recommend changes
• DOT to conduct long-term planning for ELV commercialization effects
• Interagency group chaired by DOT Secretary with State, Defense, Commerce, FCC, NASA representatives
• All agencies to assist DOT and establish timetables for expeditious licensing
• Agencies to review and revise regulations to eliminate unnecessary obstacles

Who is ordered

• Secretary of Transportation · Department of Transportation
• Secretary of State · State
• Secretary of Defense · Department of Defense
• Secretary of Commerce · Commerce
• Federal Communications Commission · FCC
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration · NASA

Timeline

Risks & tensions

• Section 5 preserves other agencies' statutory authority, creating potential jurisdictional friction with DOT leadership role
• Section 6 explicitly denies enforceable rights, limiting private sector recourse if agencies fail to cooperate
• Effectiveness depends on 'availability of appropriations' and voluntary agency cooperation without enforcement mechanisms
• Vague 'as appropriate' qualifier on presidential recommendations weakens DOT's leverage
• Interagency group meets 'at call of the Chair' with no mandatory schedule, potentially limiting coordination