How President-Elect Trump May Influence US Space Exploration In His 2nd Term

By Michael Scanlon - Journalist | Simple Flying

The 2024 US presidential election has set the stage for a second Donald Trump administration, leaving space enthusiasts wondering how this may impact NASA, private sector companies like SpaceX, and the United States' celestial endeavors in general.

A look back at Trump's first term and a look toward the future suggests the next era of US space exploration could be the most exciting to date.

A legacy of space-focused ambitions

One of the pivotal actions taken by President Trump during his first term was the revival of the National Space Council (NSC), a body that plays a crucial role in shaping the nation's space agenda.

Reestablished in 2017 after being dormant since 1993, the NSC was tasked with streamlining efforts between various agencies and ensuring that the United States remained a leader in space exploration.

Under Vice President Mike Pence's leadership, the NSC became a hub of activity, crafting policies that emphasized commercial partnerships, deep space exploration, and national security. The revival of the NSC marked a decisive shift towards greater coordination and strategic planning, fostering an environment where space exploration could thrive.

The NSC played a key role in developing Trump's Space Policy Directive 1 and was instrumental in creating the US Space Force.

Photo: repmobrooks | Wikimedia Commons

Space Policy Directive 1: The 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. This directive, fueled by Trump's desire to return astronauts to the Moon, directed NASA to prioritize partnerships with commercial and international entities.

SPD-1 marked a significant pivot from previous national space policy by emphasizing lunar exploration as a precursor to human missions to Mars. The Artemis program, conceived under SPD-1's framework, aspires to create a sustainable human presence on and around the Moon, paving the way for humanity's next galactic leap—reaching Mars.

In another significant stride towards asserting America's presence in space, President Trump reestablished the US Space Command (USSC) in 2019, which was abolished in 2002 following the September 11, 2001 terror attacks and subsequent command restructuring.

Later, in 2019, Trump created the United States Space Force (USSF), the first new branch of the US Armed Forces in over 70 years. The USSF was designed to safeguard national security interests beyond the Earth's atmosphere, reflecting a proactive stance towards potential extraterrestrial threats and the increasing importance of satellite infrastructure.

As an arm of the Department of the Air Force, the Space Force continues to prioritize the protection and advancement of US assets in space while ensuring America remains at the cutting edge of technological advancement and military preparedness.

?Remove Ads

Photo: USAF

Reestablishing the USSC and creating the USSF illustrated Trump's commitment to space as a vital domain of warfare and national defense, echoing the growing global recognition of space as a contested and strategic environment.

Buzz Aldrin applauds Trump's space agenda

Few can claim more authority on matters of space than Buzz Aldrin, the iconic Apollo 11 astronaut and the second person to walk on the Moon. Aldrin has since remained a prominent advocate for advancing human space exploration.

In the leadup to the 2024 US Presidential election, Aldrin was compelled to officially endorse the former President, praising Trump's space-focused agenda during his first term. Aldrin's support is a great indication that we can expect a second Trump administration to continue advancing US goals beyond Earth's atmosphere.

?Remove Ads

Photo: NASA

What to expect under a second Trump term

Creating the Space National Guard

As reported by The Hill, Trump recently reflected on his creation of the USSF and told attendees at a National Guard Association of the US conference that he plans to bolster this military branch by creating a Space National Guard.

"One of my proudest achievements in my first term was to create Space Force, the first new branch of the armed forces in over 70 years...the time has come to create a Space National Guard as the primary combat reserve of the US Space Force." - Donald Trump

Following in the footsteps of the Army and Air National Guard, Trump's proposal suggests extending this time-tested model of preparedness into space, acknowledging the increasingly important role space plays in national security. The Space National Guard would enable rapid mobilization to protect and repair critical space infrastructure, ensuring resilience against potential threats from adversaries.

Click here to read all of our latest news and articles about space exploration.

Exploring space with a "super genius"

Perhaps nobody has been a more prominent supporter of Trump leading up to the 2024 election than Elon Musk, whose passion and commitment to space exploration is unrivaled. As noted by Forbes, in his election victory speech, Trump referred to Musk, who's already been tapped to lead a US government efficiency commission, as a "super genius."

“He’s a character, he’s a special guy, he’s a super genius." - Donald Trump on Elon Musk

We are currently witnessing a paradigm shift in space exploration, with collaboration between the government and the private sector at an all-time high. Trump's admiration 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, providing launch services for NASA spacecraft, such as the Europa Clipper, and working with NASA to develop a Starship human landing system (HLS) for the Artemis III moon landing mission slated for 2026.

Considering that the Artemis III mission is an extension of the Space Policy Directive 1 that President Trump signed in 2017, Trump will presumably do everything in his power to ensure this mission succeeds during his second presidency. Elon Musk and SpaceX will surely be happy to help.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Facilitating Musk's mission to Mars

In addition to working with the US government and NASA, Musk has ambitious plans of his own - making life multi-planetary. In the 2016 presentation below, Musk discusses in great detail his plan to create a permanent, self-sustaining human presence on Mars. While some of the details and designs have since changed, Musk is closer than ever to reaching his goal - one he hopes to achieve while President Trump is still in office.

Musk recently announced plans to send unmanned Starships to Mars in two years and manned missions to Mars in four years. These goals are undoubtedly lofty and perhaps unlikely, though a SpaceX-friendly Trump administration makes Musk's four-year plan more realistic than it otherwise may have been under another administration. If Musk can help Trump land on the Moon, perhaps Trump can help Musk land on Mars.

Cutting through the red tape

Musk has frequently expressed frustration with the regulatory framework governing space exploration in the United States, particularly focusing on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Musk's vision of rapid iteration and accelerated timelines often clashes with the FAA's methodical approval processes, which he views as overly bureaucratic and constraining.

SpaceX's ambitious projects, such as developing the Starship spacecraft intended for Mars expeditions, have repeatedly encountered delays due to stringent compliance requirements. Musk argues that these regulatory hurdles stifle innovation and progress, impeding the United States' ability to lead in the new space race.

For example, during a speech supporting Trump in Pennsylvania, Musk shared that SpaceX was required to conduct studies to determine if a returning rocket booster or spacecraft might land on whales or sharks upon splashing into the ocean. Musk criticized this requirement, acknowledging that while the probability isn't zero, it is extremely unlikely due to the vastness of the ocean.

This anecdote underscores Musk's ongoing frustration with regulatory hurdles and reflects his broader advocacy for reducing governmental constraints on technological advancements within sectors like space exploration. Softening these regulations would benefit not just SpaceX but its partners and competitors, leading to a more prosperous space environment for all. As fate would have it, deregulation was a hallmark of Trump's first term. By reducing bureaucratic red tape, Trump's presidency laid the groundwork for private companies like SpaceX to operate with greater freedom.

It is reasonable to expect the next Trump Presidency to take the same approach. In fact, with Musk himself heading up a US government efficiency commission, the resulting regulatory environment should pave the way for companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Axiom Space, among others, to thrive, allowing them to accelerate development timelines and expand operations more rapidly.

A golden age of space exploration

From the creation of the US Space Force to Artemis, Donald Trump's first presidency laid a foundation for a bold future in space.

Buzz Aldrin's endorsement underscores Trump's commitment to space and former Executive Secretary of the National Space Council, Scott Pace, believes President Trump's second term promises an even more exciting space agenda than his first.

“The election of President Trump and soon-to-be Vice President Vance is a terrific win for U.S. leadership in space. Continuing President Trump’s policies from his first term, I believe we will see dramatic growth in the commercial space economy, a stronger U.S. Space Force, and U.S. missions to the Moon and Mars that will shape the international environment in favor of American values.” — Scott Pace

With the US government and NASA embracing the commercial space industry like never before, deregulation clearing the way for innovation, and Elon Musk in Trump's corner, it seems the stars have aligned for a golden age of space exploration under a second Donald Trump presidency; one setting its sights on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.