Following the official swearing-in of the new National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) administrator in the United States, President Trump wasted no time in signing an executive order aimed at advancing a policy to ensure American dominance in space.
In the order, Trump emphasized, “Space superiority is a measure of a nation’s foresight and will. The various technologies developed by the United States in this regard will make significant contributions to the country’s strength, security, and prosperity.”
“Therefore, the United States must implement a space policy to expand the boundaries of human exploration, safeguard the nation’s key economic and security interests, unleash commercial development potential, and lay the foundation for a new era in space.”
The order outlines four key priorities of the government’s space policy:
1. Expand the scope of human space exploration to elevate the United States’ presence in space as a global leader in space exploration.
2. Defend and safeguard America’s “critical national and economic security interests” in space, to and from space, and on the pathways to space.
3. Utilize the American free enterprise system to develop a “vibrant commercial space economy.”
4. Advance the “next century’s space accomplishments” through the development and deployment of advanced capabilities.
In line with the above vision, the executive order also sets forth several urgent specific goals to be achieved within specified timelines.
By the end of 2028:
The United States must have Americans return to the Moon, showcase prototypes of next-generation missile defense technology, and attract at least $500 billion in investment into the U.S. space market.
By the end of 2030:
The U.S. needs to establish the foundational infrastructure for a permanent lunar base, ensure readiness for launching a lunar nuclear reactor, and establish commercial pathways to replace the International Space Station (ISS).
Additionally, the government is committed to enhancing the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of the space economy, with specific measures including investments in launch and landing facilities, optimizing commercial models, and promoting private launch services.
Trump also emphasized that the United States should establish standards for space operations, such as space traffic management, orbital debris mitigation, and lunar navigation, to lay the necessary groundwork for landing on Mars.
Under the coordination of the White House’s technology policy assistant, heads of multiple departments and agencies have been tasked with submitting action plans within months. The executive order mandates the following:
1. Within 60 days, in conjunction with relevant departments and agencies, the release of guidelines for the “National Initiative for American Space Nuclear Power.”
2. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman must submit an implementation plan within 90 days to lead global exploration and expand the “American space presence,” utilizing available funds to address gaps in the supply chain, technology, or industrial capacity.
3. Isaacman, in collaboration with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, is required to review significant space procurement cases within 90 days. Projects that are more than 30% behind schedule, over budget by more than 30%, or not aligned with policy priorities must submit reorganization and remediation plans.
4. In terms of diplomacy and international cooperation, Isaacman, in conjunction with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, must jointly review NASA’s international civil cooperation cases within 120 days to ensure compliance with the policy priorities of this order, including suspending existing agreements or initiating new collaborations if necessary.
The potential impact of this initiative on existing agreements with international partners such as the European Space Agency (ESA), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), or the “Artemis Accords,” remains unclear.
5. Within the next 180 days, Isaacman and Lutnick must each optimize their respective space procurement processes.
6. In terms of national security and military defense, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has been tasked with collaborating with National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard and White House National Security Advisor to submit a report within 90 days on enhancing U.S. air defense and missile defense in “technical, supply chain, or capacity gaps” under current funding.
7. These three parties must also implement a space security strategy encompassing near-Earth orbit to cislunar space within 180 days to safeguard U.S. interests to and from space and while in orbit, including identifying and countering potential space nuclear threats. They must also submit a plan for a resilient and responsive national space security framework to strengthen ally relationships to maintain collective space security.
This robust space strategy initiative comes at a time when NASA is preparing to carry out the “Artemis II” mission. This mission will mark the first manned lunar orbit mission since 1972. The launch window for this mission is set to open in early February next year, with a target launch date of April 30.
This article is published in English in the Epoch Times.