**Streamlining the Path to Space: A Call for Regulatory Reform in the Space Industry**

The new frontier of space may not be a high-tech lab or a sleek office, but rather an unconventional mix of repurposed spaces and leased facilities. This innovative sector is transforming everyday locations, such as old swimsuit warehouses and shipping containers in Los Angeles, into hubs for groundbreaking space technology development. These makeshift environments are testament to the scrappy ingenuity that defines today’s space startups, flourishing no more than a 20-minute drive from the nearest burger joint in LA.

In this burgeoning space industry, American entrepreneurs are pushing the boundaries of innovation. They are cultivating seed crystals in microgravity for new therapeutic drugs, developing low-power processes for high-energy lasers essential for deep-space metal refining, and creating modular launch platforms and orbital vehicles for scientific payloads. Moreover, they are advancing smaller and more efficient earth stations to handle data for on-orbit operations, and securing rides on commercial launch providers like SpaceX to carry out these ventures. One striking example includes rocket bodies designed so lightweight that they can be maneuvered by hand.

None of this progress would be possible without the commercial launch sector, epitomized by SpaceX. Elon Musk's contributions have been pivotal, but his success was not achieved in isolation. Key support came from investors, a talented team of engineers, and, significantly, one influential Washington figure: Lori Garver. As the former deputy administrator of NASA appointed by President Obama, Garver was instrumental in removing bureaucratic obstacles to accelerate private space launch capabilities. Her efforts involved cutting red tape, fast-tracking projects, and keeping regulatory retrenchment at bay, effectively clearing the path for private space enterprises to thrive.

A Trump-appointed regulator emphasizes the need for future regulatory reforms inspired by Garver’s approach. The current regulatory landscape is exceedingly complex, demanding navigation through numerous agencies like the FCC, FAA, NTIA, NASA, NOAA, ITU, and the DOD. This convoluted system acts as a significant drag on space innovation.

To alleviate these barriers, suggestions include implementing satellite license grants with clear parameters, enforcing decision-making deadlines, and creating a unified regulatory body. This streamlined process would ensure a more efficient pathway for startups to launch and operate. Removing unnecessary regulatory hurdles could significantly aid the American space economy’s growth and advance technological leaps reminiscent of historic innovation hubs like Bell Labs or Los Alamos.

By reducing the red tape and introducing regulatory reforms, the next administration has the potential to elevate America’s position in the space industry and expedite pioneering space projects. This initiative can also bolster national security and keep the U.S. ahead in the global technological race. Ultimately, cutting the regulatory load can pave the way for future missions, including the monumental goal of human settlement on Mars.