US President Trump signed an order to assert US space dominance and the expansion of national security, commercial, and technological capabilities beyond Earth. The executive order, titled Ensuring American Space Superiority, frames space leadership as central to national power, economic growth, and security, and directs federal agencies to align policy, spending, and regulation around a more assertive US posture in space.

Under the new policy, the US is prioritizing a human return to the Moon through NASA’s Artemis program by 2028, followed by the deployment of initial elements of a permanent lunar outpost by 2030. It calls for the development and demonstration of next-generation missile defence technologies by 2028 and improved detection and countering of threats to US space interests from very low Earth orbit. The plan also includes modernising launch and creating a commercial pathway to replace the International Space Station by 2030. The directive also highlights advanced technologies, including the deployment of nuclear reactors on the Moon and in orbit. It calls for enhanced space-based weather forecasting, improved positioning and navigation services, better space traffic management, and stronger orbital debris mitigation to ensure long-term sustainability of space operations. The order also strengthens cooperation with allies and partners on collective space security.