The White House on Thursday rolled out a sweeping new space order with an ambitious goal: The United States plans to dominate the next era of space — economically, militarily, and technologically.
President Donald Trump's executive order, Ensuring American Space Superiority, lays out an aggressive plan that sends Americans back to the Moon by 2028, establishes the first elements of a permanent lunar outpost by 2030, and positions the moon as both a staging ground for Mars and a launchpad for commercial development.
Officials describe the effort as essential to maintaining American leadership as rivals such as China accelerate their own space ambitions.
But exploration is only one pillar of the plan.
The order treats space as a national security concern, calling for new missile defense technologies, expanded monitoring from low-Earth orbit through the moon's vicinity, and explicit preparation to detect and counter potential nuclear weapons placed in space.
The administration also directs the Pentagon and intelligence agencies to overhaul how they acquire space capabilities, emphasizing speed, flexibility, and greater reliance on commercial technology.
The commercial sector is central to the strategy. The administration set a goal of attracting at least $50 billion in new private investment into U.S. space markets by 2028 and accelerating rocket launches through new infrastructure and regulatory reform.
The order also pushes for privately operated space stations to replace the International Space Station by the end of the decade, signaling a shift away from government-run platforms toward a market-driven model.
One of the most striking provisions calls for deploying nuclear power systems in space, including a lunar surface reactor ready for launch by 2030.
Officials argue that nuclear energy is essential for sustained human presence on the moon and beyond, providing reliable power where solar energy alone may fall short.
The order also addresses growing congestion in orbit, directing agencies to strengthen space traffic management, mitigate orbital debris, and set global standards for navigation and timing systems — an effort aimed at ensuring U.S. rules become the international standard.
Implementation deadlines are tight. Agencies are instructed to review failing or over-budget space programs, streamline procurement, and present coordinated plans to the president within months.
Several older space policies are revoked or revised, clearing the way for a more commercial and security-focused approach.
Supporters say the order reflects that space is a competitive domain tied directly to economic growth and national defense. Critics caution that the ambitions are vast and the price is uncertain, with Congress holding the purse strings.
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