Trump sets goal of 1,000 US space launches a year by 2030
Photo: Donald Trump (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump signed a memorandum aimed at significantly increasing commercial space launches in the United States, Reuters reports.
According to the document, the White House aims to ensure at least 1,000 space launches and atmospheric re-entries each year by 2030.
In addition to increasing the number of flights, Trump has directed government agencies to explore using federal lands as new launch sites.
Reuters notes that there were 178 launches last year, a figure 10 times higher than in 2013, and that Elon Musk's SpaceX dominates this sector.
What else in the document
The memorandum signed by Trump calls on agencies to:
- Encourage the joint development of space transportation infrastructure with private-sector partners
- Expedite the process of obtaining permits and environmental reviews
- Ensure sufficient wireless communication bandwidth for space launches.
Trump also wants to return American astronauts to the Moon by 2028. The document calls on NASA to facilitate commercial delivery to the Moon and commercial robotic access to Mars, as well as to explore commercial ways to send humans to Mars.
Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, states that the new national space transportation policy "meets this moment of explosive growth and positions America to lead the next era of space."
He says this involves a "commercial-first approach enabling Americans on the Moon by 2028 and initial Moon Base elements by 2030, and rapid, resilient launch capabilities for national security."
Trump also wants government agencies to refrain from conducting US government space transportation operations that hinder, constrain, or compete with US commercial space activities, except when necessary for public safety or national security.
What else important to know
In early April, ahead of the Artemis II mission launch, Trump stated that America dominated everywhere, noting the US's absolute leadership in the economy, military power, and space exploration.
After the mission, Trump welcomed the crew to the White House and praised not only their courage but also his own prospects for space travel.
