Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
President Donald J. Trump signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum intended to revitalize America's leadership in space transportation, setting a goal to support over 1,000 launches and reentries from U.S. soil each year by 2030. The directive repeals the previous National Space Transportation Policy and replaces it with a comprehensive approach focused on ensuring reliable, affordable, and modern access to space transportation services.
The memorandum instructs federal agencies to encourage co-development of space transportation infrastructure with private sector partners, expedite permitting and environmental reviews, and establish clear cost recovery policies for common space services and infrastructure. Additionally, it mandates the development of range scheduling criteria to optimize allocation of launch resources.
The Secretaries of Transportation and the Interior, working with the Secretary of War and the NASA Administrator, are tasked with identifying new locations for space transportation infrastructure, including additional launch and reentry sites. The memorandum also designates priority airspace for essential space launch corridors and integrates space transportation activities within air traffic control modernization efforts.
The Assistant to the President for Science and Technology is directed to coordinate an interagency strategy to promote a resilient U.S. space transportation industry, streamline procurement, implement space security strategies, and ensure a capable workforce.
Furthermore, the Secretaries of State and Commerce are instructed to promote U.S. market access for space transportation capabilities and standards. NASA is charged with facilitating commercial transportation to and from the Moon as well as robotic and potentially human missions to Mars. The Secretary of War is directed to explore in-space transportation services to support space industry missions.
This memorandum reflects the administration's efforts to secure and defend national and economic interests in space amid international competition, while expanding commercial space opportunities.