OUTPACE in Space Act

Summary

Directs the FAA and Department of Transportation to speed up rules, staffing, and planning so commercial space launches, reentries, and hypersonic operations can safely use U.S. airspace at higher cadence. It temporarily waives an existing reentry regulation for all reentry vehicles until a new rule is adopted and sets firm deadlines for rulemaking, briefings, and reports. The bill also bars the Departments of Commerce and Transportation from doing or funding commercial-space R&D with specified foreign governments, foreign-controlled firms, or other listed high-risk entities.

• Orders FAA/DOT to accelerate rulemaking and planning so commercial space launches and hypersonics can safely integrate into national airspace.
• Imposes a temporary blanket waiver of an existing reentry regulation for all reentry vehicles upon enactment until a final rule is issued.
• Sets strict deadlines for notice, proposed, and final rules on reentry regulations (3 months, 6 months, and 1 year respectively).
• Gives the FAA expedited hiring authority to fill Office of Space Transportation positions quickly and requires transparency about hires.
• Requires multiple briefings and reports to Congress detailing actions, resources needed, and the launch/reentry increases enabled.
• Directs DOT to use performance-based requirements and issue advisory circulars to enable high-cadence commercial space operations.
• Prohibits Commerce and DOT from doing or supporting commercial-space R&D with designated foreign countries, foreign-controlled entities, or statutory "entities of concern."
• Does not appropriate funds directly; agencies must estimate and request resources separately.
• Increases operational pace for commercial space while tightening controls on foreign research partnerships.