President Trump Signs Executive Order on Ensuring American Space Superiority

On December 18, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order that sets a bold vision for an America First space policy, ensuring the United States leads the world in space exploration, security, and commerce.

The Order recognizes that “growing a vibrant commercial space economy through the power of American free enterprise will build prosperity and open new economic opportunities, such as high-paying aerospace manufacturing jobs here in America.” This Order builds upon the provisions of an Executive Order President Trump signed in August 2025, “Enabling Competition in the U.S. Commercial Space Industry.”

The Order directs the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology to coordinate National Space Policy efforts, and Federal departments and agencies to work together on the Order’s implementation, including streamlining procurement, implementing relevant space security strategies, and ensuring an appropriate workforce to accomplish these goals.

Among other provisions, the Order:

• Calls for Americans’ return to the Moon by 2028, and the establishment of initial elements of a permanent lunar outpost by 2030;
  
• Directs the deployment of nuclear reactors on the Moon and in orbit, including a lunar surface reactor ready for launch by 2030;
  
• Ensures the U.S.’ ability to detect, characterize, and counter the full range of security threats to U.S. space interests; and
  
• Spurs private sector innovation and investment by upgrading launch infrastructure and developing a commercial pathway to replace the International Space Station by 2030.

U.S. Department of Commerce specific provisions include:

• Reforming agency’s space acquisition processes to support the space priorities in this order, and to further Executive Order 14271 of April 15, 2025 (Ensuring Commercial, Cost-Effective Solutions in Federal Contracts);
• Using existing authorities to improve efficiency and expedite space acquisitions, including a first preference for commercial solutions and a general preference for Other Transactions Authority or Space Act Agreements, customary commercial terms, or any other pathways to promote effective or streamlined acquisitions;
• Strengthening capabilities for conducting space acquisition and sustainment activities in a manner that supports collaboration with, but does not require acquisition assistance from, NASA, including by recommending legislative reforms as necessary; and
• Coordinating with the APST, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, the APDP, and the heads of relevant agencies to assert spectrum leadership, which shall include considering opportunities for reapportioning and sharing spectrum, as appropriate.

Resources:

View the text of the Executive Order on the White House website.

View the Fact Sheet on the White House website.