en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) of the U.S. Department of the Interior has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to explore the feasibility of conducting offshore space launch, reentry, and recovery activities on the Outer Continental Shelf, in support of the Trump administration's strategic vision to strengthen U.S. space leadership, launch capabilities, and reentry and recovery infrastructure.
The RFI will be published in the Federal Register on July 8, initiating a 30-day public comment period ending on August 7, 2026. Through this effort, BOEM seeks to gather technical, environmental, and operational information from industry, research institutions, and other stakeholders to inform decision-making for potential future activities, interagency coordination, and planning for offshore space launch and recovery.
This RFI implements President Trump's Executive Order on "Ensuring American Space Superiority," signed in December 2025, which directs federal agencies to develop and advance policies that benefit the U.S. commercial space sector.
BOEM Acting Director Matt Giacona stated that the Outer Continental Shelf presents a significant opportunity to support the future of the U.S. space economy, and that offshore launch, reentry, and recovery infrastructure can enhance operational flexibility and capacity, alleviate constraints from growing launch demand, and strengthen national space capabilities in both commercial and national security domains. He emphasized that BOEM manages approximately 3.2 billion acres of federal jurisdiction and is uniquely positioned to assess this emerging opportunity, noting that this RFI is a critical first step in evaluating how offshore development can support a new era of U.S. space leadership.
The RFI specifically seeks information on operational practices, technical and safety standards, environmental considerations, and best practices for offshore space launch and recovery facilities, while also focusing on emerging domestic and international guidelines or voluntary standards in this nascent field. The feedback received will help BOEM gain a comprehensive understanding of current technologies, practices, and research trends.
