RENEWING AMERICAN SPACE TRANSPORTATION LEADERSHIP: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum aimed at revitalizing the United States’ prominence in space transportation. The goal is to achieve over 1,000 launches and reentries on American soil each year by 2030.
- The Memorandum nullifies an outdated National Space Transportation Policy, introducing an America First strategy to secure dependable, cost-effective, and cutting-edge access to space transportation services. This approach seeks to nurture a dynamic, competitive, and robust U.S. space transportation industry.
- It instructs agencies to encourage the co-development of space transportation infrastructure with the private sector, fast-track permitting and environmental assessments, and establish transparent cost recovery policies. Moreover, it calls for the development of range scheduling criteria and the publication of range schedules to optimize the allocation of launch resources.
- The Memorandum tasks the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of the Interior, in collaboration with the Secretary of War and NASA’s Administrator, with identifying future space transportation infrastructure sites, including new launch and reentry locations. It also designates priority airspace for vital space launch corridors and integrates space transportation activities into air traffic control modernization efforts.
- It directs the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology (APST) to lead interagency efforts in formulating a space transportation industrial base strategy. This strategy will bolster and sustain America’s space transportation sector, streamline procurement processes, implement pertinent space security strategies, and ensure an adequate workforce to meet these objectives.
- The Memorandum calls on the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce to guarantee U.S. space transportation market access, thereby enhancing U.S. space transportation capabilities and standards.
- NASA’s Administrator is directed to support commercial transportation to and from the moon, facilitate commercial robotic missions to Mars, and explore commercial methods for human travel to and from Mars.
- The Secretary of War is tasked with pursuing and expanding in-space transportation services for both current and potential missions, supporting the in-space transportation industry.
SECURING AMERICA’S NATIONAL AND ECONOMIC INTERESTS: Amidst challenges to American space superiority, President Trump is actively safeguarding the nation’s vital national and economic interests in space while unlocking new commercial opportunities.
- By 2030, the U.S. space transportation sector is expected to grow to support over 1,000 launches and reentries annually.
- Protecting key space assets and operations is crucial for military readiness and maintaining America’s economic dominance.
- The expansion of a vibrant commercial space economy and transportation capabilities, driven by American free enterprise, will foster prosperity, create high-paying aerospace jobs domestically, and reduce costs for developing and deploying new space systems.
- Innovative in-space manufacturing and transportation capabilities will enable the discovery and development of valuable materials and pharmaceuticals, introduce new space architectures, and sustain American technological leadership.
- Next-generation space capabilities will enhance Americans’ access to better positioning, navigation, and timing services for precision agriculture, provide more accurate weather forecasts for safer airline travel, and offer global broadband internet access through satellite communications.
- Broadening human reach and American presence in space upholds the nation’s pioneering spirit, ensures the U.S. remains at the forefront of space exploration and innovation, and propels technological advancement.
BUILDING AMERICAN STRENGTH AND DRIVING ACHIEVEMENT: President Trump has consistently demonstrated leadership in advancing American strength and achievements in space exploration.
- He led the creation of the Space Force, the first new branch of the Armed Forces since the Air Force was established over 70 years ago. The Space Force is essential for preparing the Department of War for evolving combat conditions and expanding capabilities.
- During his first term, Trump issued seven landmark Space Policy Directives. These directives instructed NASA to return American astronauts to the Moon and beyond through the Artemis Program, reformed the nation’s commercial space regulatory framework, established cybersecurity principles for space systems, and more.
- In April 2026, America sent astronauts on Artemis II to lunar orbit for the first time in over 50 years.
- In August 2025, Trump signed an Executive Order to foster competition in the commercial space industry, ensuring the U.S. maintains its leading role in commercial space activities.
- In December 2025, he signed another Executive Order setting a bold vision for an America First space policy, reinforcing U.S. leadership in space exploration, security, and commerce.
- In July 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration proposed significant rulemaking to waive burdensome environmental reviews for launch infrastructure, enabling a resurgence of commercial space launches.
