Washington, Dec. 19, 2025 — President Donald J. Trump on Thursday signed a far-reaching executive order and issued a presidential memorandum aimed at cementing American leadership in space exploration, national security, and next-generation communications technology, marking one of the most expansive federal policy shifts in space and spectrum management in decades.
The executive order, titled “Ensuring American Space Superiority,” outlines an ambitious roadmap to return Americans to the Moon by 2028, establish a permanent lunar presence by 2030, strengthen missile defense capabilities, and accelerate the growth of the U.S. commercial space economy. At the same time, the President directed federal agencies to take immediate steps to ensure the United States leads the global race to develop sixth-generation (6G) wireless networks.
Moon, Mars, and Missile Defense
Under the new space order, the Trump administration reaffirmed its commitment to the Artemis Program, calling for a return of U.S. astronauts to the Moon by 2028 and the construction of the initial elements of a permanent lunar outpost by the end of the decade. Officials said the lunar base would support future missions to Mars, enable lunar economic activity, and secure a sustained American presence beyond Earth.
The order also places heavy emphasis on national security. The administration directed the development of next-generation missile defense technologies by 2028, expanding on the President’s “Iron Dome for America” initiative. Federal agencies were instructed to improve the nation’s ability to detect and counter threats across low-Earth orbit and cislunar space, including any potential placement of nuclear weapons in orbit.
To support these goals, the order calls for major reforms to federal space acquisition practices, prioritizing commercial solutions, faster procurement pathways, and greater integration of private-sector capabilities. NASA and the Department of Commerce were instructed to overhaul their acquisition processes within six months.
Nuclear Power in Space
In a notable shift, the administration directed agencies to move toward near-term use of space-based nuclear power. Plans include deploying nuclear reactors on the Moon and in orbit, with a lunar surface reactor expected to be ready for launch by 2030. The White House said the move is critical to enabling sustained operations on the Moon and beyond.
Allies, Commerce, and Space Traffic
The order also calls for deeper cooperation with U.S. allies on space security, including increased defense spending, joint operations, and investments in America’s space industrial base. At home, the administration set a target of attracting at least $50 billion in additional private investment into the U.S. space economy by 2028 and accelerating the transition to commercial successors to the International Space Station by 2030.
In addition, the President revised earlier space traffic management policies to allow services to be made available for commercial use, signaling a more market-oriented approach to managing orbital congestion and debris.
The order formally revokes the 2021 executive order that established the National Space Council, consolidating authority under the new framework.
Winning the 6G Race
Alongside the space directive, President Trump issued a memorandum titled “Winning the 6G Race,” declaring next-generation wireless networks essential to U.S. national security, economic growth, and technological leadership.
The memorandum directs the Commerce Department to begin studies to clear and reallocate key portions of federal radiofrequency spectrum — particularly the 7.125–7.4 GHz band — for commercial 6G use, while ensuring national security and electric grid operations are not compromised. Additional studies were ordered for other mid-band frequencies to assess their suitability for future 6G deployment.
The administration also instructed the State Department and the Federal Communications Commission to intensify diplomatic efforts ahead of the International Telecommunication Union’s World Radiocommunication Conference in 2027, seeking to align international standards with U.S. technology and policy interests.
A Broad Strategic Vision
White House officials said the combined actions reflect a unified strategy linking space exploration, defense, commercial innovation, and communications infrastructure.
“Superiority in space and leadership in 6G are measures of national vision and willpower,” the President said in the order, arguing that the technologies developed through these initiatives will strengthen U.S. security, economic competitiveness, and global influence.
Both the executive order and the 6G memorandum take effect immediately and will be implemented subject to existing law and congressional appropriations.
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