The 2024 U.S. presidential election is setting the stage for a second Donald Trump administration, and space enthusiasts are wondering what this means for NASA, private companies like SpaceX, and U.S. astronomical efforts in general. I’m wondering if it will have an impact.
Looking back at President Trump’s first term and looking to the future suggests that the next era of American space exploration could be the most exciting yet.
A legacy of space-focused ambition
Resurrection of the National Space Council
One of President Trump’s most important actions during his first term was the reinstatement of the National Space Council (NSC), which plays a key role in shaping the national space program.
Dormant since 1993 but re-established in 2017, the NSC was tasked with streamlining efforts between various agencies and ensuring the United States remains a leader in space exploration.
Under the leadership of Vice President Mike Pence, the NSC became a hub of activity, developing policies that emphasized commercial partnerships, deep space exploration, and national security. The reinstatement of the NSC marked a decisive shift toward greater coordination and strategic planning, fostering an environment in which space exploration could flourish.
The NSC played a key role in the development of President Trump’s Space Policy Directive 1 and contributed to the creation of the U.S. Space Force.
Space Policy Directive 1: Birth of Artemis
In December 2017, Donald Trump signed Space Policy Directive 1 (SPD-1), setting the stage for NASA’s Artemis program and redefining America’s approach to lunar exploration. The directive, spurred by President Trump’s desire to return astronauts to the moon, directed NASA to prioritize partnerships with commercial and international organizations.
SPD-1 marked a significant shift from previous national space policy by emphasizing lunar exploration as a precursor to human exploration of Mars. The Artemis program, conceived on the SPD-1 framework, aims to create a sustainable human presence on the Moon and its surroundings, paving the way for humanity’s next galactic leap forward: Mars .
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The Artemis mission is accelerating scientific research on the lunar surface. The first lunar space station will soon be built.
U.S. Space Force and U.S. Space Force
In another major step toward asserting America’s presence in space, President Trump re-established the United States Space Command (USSC) in 2019. The USSC was decommissioned in 2002 following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and subsequent command reorganization.
Then, in 2019, President Trump created the United States Space Force (USSF), the first new branch of the U.S. military in more than 70 years. The USSF was designed to protect national security interests beyond Earth’s atmosphere, reflecting an aggressive stance on potential extraterrestrial threats and the growing importance of satellite infrastructure.
As a division of the Department of the Air Force, the Space Force continues to prioritize the protection and development of U.S. assets in space while ensuring the United States is at the forefront of technological advancement and military preparedness.
Photo: U.S. Air Force
The reestablishment of the USSC and the creation of the USSF demonstrate President Trump’s commitment to space as a critical domain of war and national defense and reflect the growing global recognition of space as a contested strategic environment. are.
Buzz Aldrin praises President Trump’s space program
Few people can claim greater authority on space matters than Buzz Aldrin, the iconic Apollo 11 astronaut and the second person to walk on the moon. Since then, Aldrin has remained a prominent advocate of advancing human space exploration.
In the run-up to the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Aldrin has been forced to publicly endorse the former president, praising Trump’s space-focused policies during his first term. Mr. Aldrin’s endorsement is a great sign that the second Trump administration can look forward to continuing to advance U.S. goals beyond the Earth’s atmosphere.
Photo: NASA
What to expect from Trump’s second term
Creation of the Space National Guard
As The Hill reported, President Trump recently reflected on the creation of the USSF, telling attendees at the U.S. National Guard Association conference that he plans to strengthen the military branch by creating the Space National Guard. Ta.
“One of my proudest accomplishments in my first term was creating the Space Force, the first new branch of the military in more than 70 years…the primary combat reserve for U.S. space. “It’s time to create a Space National Guard as a force.” – Donald Trump.
President Trump’s proposal follows in the footsteps of the Army and Air National Guard, recognizing the increasingly important role space plays in national security, and extending this proven model of preparedness to space. I am proposing it. The Space National Guard enables rapid mobilization to protect and repair critical space infrastructure, ensuring resiliency against potential threats from adversaries.
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Exploring space with a “super genius”
Perhaps there is no more prominent supporter of President Trump in the 2024 election than Elon Musk, whose passion and commitment to space exploration is unparalleled. As Forbes pointed out, in his election victory speech, Trump called Musk, who has already been selected to head the U.S. Government Efficiency Board, a “super genius.”
“He’s a character, a special person, a super genius.” – Donald Trump on Elon Musk
We are currently witnessing a paradigm shift in space exploration, with unprecedented collaboration between governments and the private sector. Trump’s praise and support for Musk can only mean great things for space exploration.
SpaceX is currently working with NASA to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station, provide launch services for NASA spacecraft such as Europa Clipper, and build the Starship Human Landing System (HLS) for the Artemis III lunar landing. It is collaborating with NASA in its development. The mission is scheduled for 2026.
Given that the Artemis III mission is an extension of Space Policy Directive 1, which President Trump signed in 2017, President Trump will likely do everything in his power to ensure the success of this mission during his second presidential term. . I’m sure Elon Musk and SpaceX would be happy to collaborate.
Promoting Musk’s Mars mission
In addition to working with the US government and NASA, Musk has his own ambitious plans to make life multi-planetary. In the 2016 presentation below, Musk details his plan to create a permanent, self-sustaining human presence on Mars. Although some details and designs have since changed, Musk is closer than ever to his goals, goals that Trump hopes to achieve while he is still in office.
Musk recently announced plans to send an unmanned spacecraft to Mars within two years and a manned mission to Mars within four years. These goals are undoubtedly lofty and probably unlikely to be achieved, but the SpaceX-friendly Trump administration makes Musk’s four-year plan more realistic than under other administrations. It has become. If Mr. Musk can help Mr. Trump land on the moon, perhaps Mr. Trump can help Mr. Musk land on Mars.
break through bureaucracy
Musk has frequently expressed dissatisfaction with the regulatory framework governing space exploration in the United States, particularly the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Musk’s vision of rapid iteration and accelerated schedules often clashes with the FAA’s systematic approval process, which he considers overly bureaucratic and restrictive.
SpaceX’s ambitious projects, such as the development of Starship, a spacecraft aimed at exploring Mars, have repeatedly encountered delays due to strict compliance requirements. Musk argues that these regulatory hurdles are stifling innovation and progress, and hindering the United States’ ability to take the lead in the new space race.
For example, in a speech supporting Trump in Pennsylvania, Mr. Musk said that the government is conducting research to determine whether a returning rocket booster or spacecraft is likely to land on a whale or shark when it splashes into the ocean. He shared that the research needs to be conducted by SpaceX. Musk criticized this requirement, acknowledging that while it’s possible, the vastness of the ocean makes it highly unlikely.
Photo: NASA
The anecdote highlights Musk’s continued frustration with regulatory hurdles and reflects his broader advocacy for lessening government constraints on technological advances in areas such as space exploration. Relaxing these regulations would benefit not only SpaceX but also its partners and competitors, leading to a richer space environment for everyone. Perhaps by fate, deregulation was a hallmark of President Trump’s first term. By cutting red tape, President Trump laid the foundations for private companies like SpaceX to operate more freely.
Regulatory freedom drives commercial progress
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It’s reasonable to expect President-elect Trump to take the same approach. In fact, Musk himself heads the U.S. government’s Efficiency Board, and the resulting regulatory environment is particularly important for companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Axiom Space to grow, accelerate development schedules, and expand their operations. This should pave the way for further expansion. Rapidly.
golden age of space exploration
From the creation of the U.S. Space Force to Artemis, Donald Trump’s first presidency laid the foundation for a bold future in space.
Buzz Aldrin’s endorsement underscores Trump’s commitment to space, and Scott Pace, former executive director of the National Space Council, said Trump’s second term will be even more exciting than his first. I believe in promising challenges.
“The selection of President Trump and his soon-to-be Vice President, Vance, is a great victory for American leadership in space. I believe that strengthening the Space Force and America’s missions to the Moon and Mars will shape the international environment in favor of American values.” — Scott Pace.
Space exploration is on the rise under second-term President Donald Trump, as the U.S. government and NASA embrace the commercial space industry like never before, deregulation paves the way for innovation, and Elon Musk is pushed into Trump’s camp. It looks like the stars are aligning for a golden age. Some are aiming for the moon, Mars, and beyond.