By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1. Purpose. Achieving dominance in space is not merely a matter of technological prowess but a testament to our national ambition and resolve. The advancements we make in this domain are integral to bolstering the strength, security, and prosperity of the United States. Therefore, it is imperative that we establish a space policy that not only broadens the horizons of human exploration but also safeguards our economic and security interests, catalyzes commercial innovation, and serves as the bedrock for a new era of space exploration.
Sec. 2. Policy. My Administration will channel its efforts in space policy towards the following key priorities:
(a) Establishing global leadership in space exploration and enhancing American presence through:
(i) Returning Americans to the Moon by 2028 via the Artemis Program, thereby reaffirming American leadership in space, laying the groundwork for lunar economic enterprise, preparing for a manned mission to Mars, and inspiring future generations of explorers;
(ii) Setting up initial components of a permanent lunar outpost by 2030 to ensure a sustained American presence in space and facilitate subsequent Mars exploration; and
(iii) Improving the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of launch and exploration frameworks, including bolstering commercial launch services and prioritizing lunar exploration;
(b) Protecting and securing vital national and economic interests in, from, and to space through:
(i) Developing prototype next-generation missile defense technologies by 2028, enhancing America’s air and missile defenses in line with Executive Order 14186 of January 27, 2025 (The Iron Dome for America);
(ii) Ensuring capabilities to detect, analyze, and counter threats to U.S. space interests from very low-Earth orbit and across cislunar space, particularly any deployment of nuclear weapons in space;
(iii) Creating a responsive and adaptive national security space architecture by accelerating acquisition reforms, integrating commercial space capabilities, and facilitating new market entrants; and
(iv) Enhancing contributions from allies and partners to U.S. and collective space security via increased spending on space security, operational collaborations, basing agreements, and investments in America’s space industrial base;
(c) Fostering a vibrant commercial space economy through the ingenuity of American free enterprise by:
(i) Attracting at least $50 billion in additional investment in American space markets by 2028, while increasing launch and reentry frequency through improved facilities and policy reforms;
(ii) Demonstrating leadership in spectrum management across space applications to enhance U.S. technological competitiveness and global market access; and
(iii) Encouraging private sector initiatives to pave the way for a commercial alternative to the International Space Station by 2030;
(d) Developing and deploying advanced capabilities and strategies to facilitate the next century of space accomplishments through:
(i) Optimizing investments in space research and development to meet the Administration’s immediate space objectives, leveraging emerging technologies and scientific discoveries to enhance mission capabilities, and promoting long-term U.S. leadership in science and technology;
(ii) Enabling the near-term use of space nuclear power by deploying nuclear reactors on the Moon and in orbit, including a lunar surface reactor set for launch by 2030;
(iii) Enhancing high-value space and Earth weather forecasting and operations to address both terrestrial and extraterrestrial needs, utilizing innovative business approaches like fixed-price contracts and as-a-service models;
(iv) Ensuring the sustainability of space operations through responsible approaches to space traffic management, debris mitigation, and terrestrial and cislunar positioning, navigation, and timing, thus establishing the U.S. as the leader in standards and services in these domains; and
(v) Creating robust infrastructure and standards on the ground, in space, and on the Moon to facilitate the implementation of space priorities and a resilient space industrial base.
Sec. 3. Implementation. (a) The Assistant to the President for Science and Technology (APST) shall oversee the comprehensive implementation of this order, which includes:
(i) Issuing guidance within 60 days on establishing a National Initiative for American Space Nuclear Power to meet the nuclear power policy goals set forth herein, in collaboration with relevant executive departments and agencies;
(ii) Proposing revisions to Presidential Policy Directive 26 of November 21, 2013 (National Space Transportation Policy) within 120 days to support the execution of this order.
(b) Within 90 days, the APST shall coordinate the development and integration of a plan from the NASA Administrator, along with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy (APDP), to achieve the objectives stated in this order regarding leading global space exploration and expanding American reach and presence, as well as addressing any technology, supply chain, or industrial capacity gaps.
(c) Within 180 days, the Secretary of Commerce and the NASA Administrator shall reform their respective agencies’ space acquisition processes to align with the priorities outlined in this order, furthering Executive Order 14271 of April 15, 2025 (Ensuring Commercial, Cost-Effective Solutions in Federal Contracts). These reforms shall encompass:
(i) Using existing authorities to boost efficiency and expedite space acquisitions, emphasizing commercial solutions and pathways to streamline processes;
(ii) Conducting a thorough review of each functional role within the agency’s workforce to eliminate inefficiencies and accelerate decision-making;
(iii) For the Department of Commerce, enhancing capabilities to conduct space acquisition and sustainment activities to foster collaboration with NASA without requiring acquisition assistance; and
(iv) For NASA, synchronizing acquisition and procurement processes across its centers to improve overall efficiency.
(d) Within 180 days, the APNSA, in coordination with the Secretary of War, the DNI, and the APST, shall:
(i) Execute a space security strategy that addresses U.S. interests in space and plans for current and emerging threats to those interests, including a technology plan for countering potential adversary placements of nuclear weapons;
(ii) Implement a plan for a responsive and adaptive national security space architecture to support the established space security strategy.
(e) Within 180 days, the Secretary of State, in collaboration with the Secretary of War and the DNI, shall develop a plan to enhance contributions from allies and partners to U.S. and collective space security.
(f) Within 120 days, the Secretary of Commerce shall work with the APST, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, the APDP, and other relevant agency heads to assert spectrum leadership, considering opportunities for spectrum reapportionment and sharing as necessary.
(g) Within 120 days, the NASA Administrator, in collaboration with the Secretary of State and the APST, shall ensure that international civil space cooperation agreements support the priorities outlined in this order, initiating new agreements and modifying or terminating existing ones as appropriate.
Sec. 4. Rescission. (a) This order supersedes Executive Order 14056 of December 1, 2021 (The National Space Council), which is hereby revoked.
(b) Space Policy Directive 3 of June 18, 2018 (National Space Traffic Management Policy), is amended as follows:
(i) By replacing “free of direct user fees” with “for commercial and other relevant use” in subsections 3(b) and 4(d); and
(ii) By replacing “provided free of direct user fees” with “available for commercial and other relevant use” in subsections 5(a)(ii) and 5(b)(ii).
(c) In the event of any inconsistencies between this order and previous Executive Orders, Presidential Memoranda, or Directives, this order shall prevail.
Sec. 5. Definitions. (a) The term “commercial solutions” refers to procurement methods for commercial products or services as outlined in part 12 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, or other industry solutions backed by private investment that fulfill agency requirements.
(b) The term “Other Transactions Authority” indicates the U.S. Government’s capability to enter into contracts outside standard agreements, grants, or cooperative arrangements.
Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be interpreted as impairing or affecting:
(i) The authority granted by law to any executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) The functions of the Director of OMB regarding budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and contingent on the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order does not intend to, and does not, create any enforceable rights or benefits, substantive or procedural, for any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, or any officers, employees, or agents.
(d) The costs associated with the publication of this order shall be covered by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
DONALD J. TRUMP
THE WHITE HOUSE,
December 18, 2025.
