The president said he would prioritize the nation’s push to space for commercial, national security, and exploration purposes.
Within hours of NASA’s latest permanent administrator being officially sworn in, President Donald Trump issued an executive order pushing forward a policy of American superiority in outer space.
“Superiority in space is a measure of national vision and willpower, and the technologies Americans develop to achieve it contribute substantially to the nation’s strength, security, and prosperity,” Trump said in the order.
“The United States must therefore pursue a space policy that will extend the reach of human discovery, secure the nation’s vital economic and security interests, unleash commercial development, and lay the foundation for a new space age.”
The order outlines the administration’s space policy, focused on four major priorities: expanding humanity’s reach and America’s presence in space as the world leader in space exploration; defending and securing the United States’ “vital national and economic security interests” to, from, and in space; utilizing American free enterprise to grow a “vibrant commercial space economy,” and enabling “the next century of space achievements” through developing and deploying advanced capabilities.
Several specific goals are listed with fast-approaching deadlines.
By 2028, the United States needs to return Americans to the Moon, demonstrate prototype next-generation missile defense technologies, and attract at least $50 billion of investment into the United States’ space markets.
By 2030, the United States needs to establish the foundational elements of a permanent lunar outpost, as well as ensure that a lunar surface nuclear reactor is ready to launch, and secure a commercial pathway to replace the International Space Station.
Other objectives include enhancing the overall cost-effectiveness and sustainability of the growing spacefaring economy through investments in Earth-bound infrastructure, such as launching and landing areas, improving business models, and enabling commercial launch operations.
The president also said the United States should set the standards for space operations such as traffic management, mitigation of orbital debris, and lunar navigation, to lay a foundation necessary to put the U.S. flag on Mars.
With the coordination of the assistant to the president for science and technology, several department and agency leaders have been tasked with providing plans to achieve these objectives in a matter of months.
Guidance on establishing the National Initiative for American Space Nuclear Power, in coordination with relevant department and agency heads, needs to be issued in the next 60 days.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has 90 days to work on a plan to lead the world in space exploration and expand human reach and “American presence in space.”
By T.J. Muscaro
