U.S. Eyes Offshore Spaceports With First-Ever Call for Industry Input
NASA's Orion Capsule is drawn to the well deck of the U.S.S. Portland after it splashed down following a successful uncrewed Artemis I Moon Mission on December 11, 2022 in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Baja California, Mexico. Mario Tama/Pool via REUTERS
U.S. Eyes Offshore Spaceports With First-Ever Call for Industry Input
Mike Schuler<br>Total Views: 727
July 7, 2026
The Trump administration is taking its first formal step toward evaluating whether federal offshore waters could support commercial space launches and spacecraft recovery operations.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on Tuesday announced it will publish a Request for Information (RFI) seeking public and industry feedback on the potential use of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) for offshore space launch, re-entry and recovery infrastructure.
The RFI, scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on July 8, opens a 30-day public comment period through Aug. 7. BOEM said it is looking for technical, environmental, operational and safety information that could help shape future planning and coordination for offshore space activities.
The initiative reflects the administration’s push to expand U.S. commercial space capabilities following President Donald Trump’s December 2025 executive order, Ensuring American Space Superiority, which directed federal agencies to identify policies supporting growth in the commercial space sector.
"The Outer Continental Shelf presents a significant opportunity to support the future of America’s space economy," Acting BOEM Director Matt Giacona said in a statement. "Offshore launch, re-entry, and recovery infrastructure could expand operational flexibility, increase capacity, reduce constraints on growing launch demand, and strengthen the nation’s commercial and national security space capabilities."
BOEM oversees roughly 3.2 billion acres of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf, which has traditionally been managed for offshore energy development. The agency said the RFI is intended to assess whether portions of those waters could also support emerging space infrastructure while identifying environmental considerations, technical standards and best practices.
The request also seeks information on domestic and international guidelines relevant to offshore launch and recovery facilities, as well as current technologies and operational practices being developed by the commercial space industry.
The move marks another sign that offshore infrastructure may play an increasing role beyond energy production, as federal agencies explore new commercial uses for the Outer Continental Shelf. Any future offshore space projects would still require additional environmental review, interagency coordination and regulatory approvals before development could proceed.
Tags:
space
trump administration
Editorial Standards · Corrections · About gCaptain
Subscribe for Daily Maritime Insights
Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update
— trusted by our 104,748 members
Prev<br>Back to Main<br>Next
Stay Informed. Stay Connected.
Get The Daily Insights That Power Maritime Professionals Worldwide
Essential maritime and offshore news, insights, and updates delivered daily straight to your inbox
— trusted by our 104,748 members
Have a news tip? Let us know.
Stay Ahead with Our Weekly ‘Dispatch’ Email
Dive into a sea of curated content with our weekly ‘Dispatch’ email. Your personal maritime briefing awaits!
Sign Up<br>Sign In
Related Articles
News
GMS Sees U.S. Recycling License as Blueprint to Retire Shadow Fleet Vessels
Global ship recycler Global Marketing Systems (GMS) says a recent U.S. government license authorizing the recycling of four sanctioned vessels could provide a long-sought legal pathway for retiring aging ships...
July 6, 2026<br>Total Views: 1543
News
Report Challenges National Security Case for Extended Jones Act Waiver
A new analysis from maritime consulting firm Navigistics Consulting argues the Trump administration’s emergency Jones Act waiver has failed to deliver its stated objectives, finding no evidence of military necessity...
June 30, 2026<br>Total Views: 1532
News
Congressman Urges Trump Administration to Deploy Navy Hospital Ship to Earthquake-Ravaged Venezuela
A U.S. congressman is urging the Trump administration to deploy one of the Navy’s two hospital ships to Venezuela following the devastating earthquakes that have killed more than 1,400 people...
June 30, 2026<br>Total Views: 1363
Get The Industry’s Go-To News
Subscribe to gCaptain Daily and stay informed with the latest global maritime and offshore news
— just like 104,748 professionals
Secure Your Spot
on the gCaptain Crew
Stay informed with the latest maritime and offshore news, delivered daily straight to your inbox
— trusted by our 104,748 members
Your Gateway to the Maritime World!
Essential news coupled...