Don't Forget to Water the Plants: Crafting a Sustainable Framework for Space Launches under the Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) makes great strides toward limiting the consumption of fossil fuels through the incentivization of research and development of sustainable aviation fuel. However, the IRA serves as a reactive measure to the problem of air pollution while missing an opportunity to curtail another coming issue of pollution: space launches. While not as pervasive as commercial air travel, space launches and outer space as a whole are becoming a billion-dollar market with space mining, astro-tourism, and interplanetary travel. The rate of launches has no sign of slowing down, and rather than wait to pass a reactive measure like the IRA, we should amend the IRA to set up guardrails to prevent further environmental catastrophe. In this article, we speak broadly about the IRA, its effects, and its shortcomings, and how the current environmental protection devices fall short and could be revitalized. Emphasizing research and development of environmentally friendly fuel sources through market incentives and economic growth for space-faring firms.