US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday that he claimed would ease regulations that govern commercial rocket launches.

The order directs the US transportation secretary to eliminate or expedite environmental reviews for launch licenses given by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

"Inefficient permitting processes discourage investment and innovation, limiting the ability of US companies to lead in global space markets," the executive order reads.

It also calls for the cancellation of "outdated, redundant or overly restrictive rules for launch and reentry vehicles," according to a statement released by the White House.

Could the move benefit Elon Musk?

Trump's latest executive order also states that "inefficient" permitting processes "discourage investment and innovation," which in turn limits US companies' ability to lead in global space markets.

The move could benefit private space companies such as SpaceX, the company owned by former Trump advisor Elon Musk, despite the two falling out publicly in recent months.

The company — which dominates the global private space launches market — plans missions to the Moon and Mars using its Starship rockets, which saw a series of setbackslastly in June as a routine test ended up in an explosion.

Environment groups slam executive order

Environmental groups have criticized Trump's moves to deregulate commercial spaceflight.

"This reckless order puts people and wildlife at risk from private companies launching giant rockets that often explode and wreak devastation on surrounding areas," Jared Margolis of the US-based nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity said in a statement.

The FAA approved an increase in annual SpaceX Starship launches from five to 25 in early may, saying it would not negatively affect the environment.

SpaceX boss Musk, the world's richest man, has repeatedly complained that studies over the environmental impact of Starship slow the tests of the rocket, together with post-flight mishap investigations and licensing reviews required by the FAA.

Edited by: Zac Crellin