MOON SHOT: Latest Trump EO Pushes For Space Supremacy
Not because it is easy, but because it is hard
The phrase ‘Moon shot’ has become synonymous with big presidential vison with a tangible result. Trump is taking that term more literally than most.
In his first term, Trump created the Space Force and announced an intention to send America back to the moon. Now, as he’s swearing in his new NASA director, he’s re-upping that commitment. And then some.
From his EO entitled “ENSURING AMERICAN SPACE SUPERIORITY“:
Superiority in space is a measure of national vision and willpower, and the technologies Americans develop to achieve it contribute substantially to the Nation’s strength, security, and prosperity. The United States must therefore pursue a space policy that will extend the reach of human discovery, secure the Nation’s vital economic and security interests, unleash commercial development, and lay the foundation for a new space age.
The order continues to list a bunch of bullet points, including:
Steps to lead the world in space exploration and expand the human reach and American presence in space
- Moon landing by 2028
- Lunar base by 2030, looking beyond that to Mars
- make space flight more sustainable and cost-effective for commercial flight and lunar exploration
Integration of Space into National Security
- Iron Dome For America missile defence
- Detect and counter threats, including very low-orbit and nuclear
- dynamic and responsive approach to security needs in space
- working with global partners
Growing commercial space economy
- investment and policy reforms
- bringing in commercial partners to work on replacing space station by 2030
Enabling next-gen advancements with various initiatives, including nuclear power generators in orbit and on the moon.
For those of us not yet receiving Social Security, this will be the first time in our lives we’ve seen one of our own setting foot on the moon.
For all the credit JFK got for getting us there before the Soviets… NASA never took that next step.
Trump is taking the occasion of America’s 250th anniversary not only to remind the world that we are the one country on the planet with extra-terrestrial footprints as a claim to fame.
He’s taking it further — to set up shop with a permanent presence on the Moon with an eye toward space, the final frontier.