SpaceX Shares Gain 6.6% on FAA Licensing Overhaul Plan

The FAA said it would overhaul its licensing framework in 2027, aiming to keep pace with rapid commercial space innovation. The agency has set a goal of 1,000 launches a year by 2030. The United States accounted for 217 of the 329 commercial space launches worldwide in 2025.

Other space companies also rose Friday after the proposed regulatory changes: Rocket Lab, Firefly Aerospace and AST SpaceMobile all recorded gains. Firefly and AST SpaceMobile separately reached a $1.3 billion agreement under which Firefly would supply rocket engines and license its propulsion technology to AST SpaceMobile.

SpaceX and Tesla shares had fallen sharply in premarket trading Wednesday after Democratic candidates won a majority of their races in the midterm elections, according to the source. Tesla shares gained 5% on Friday after Elon Musk said the company would wind down Cybertruck production.