Key Takeaways

  • President Trump has released a new executive order setting national space policy.
  • The goal is to establish an ‘initial’ Moon base by 2028.
  • The administration also reiterates the Golden Dome plan for a comprehensive air and missile defense shield over America.

Strategic Implications

This new policy may indicate a shift in focus towards civil space exploration, potentially driven by commercial interests. The emphasis on ‘space superiority’ could suggest a desire to control the heavens and prevent adversaries from taking actions to harm US space assets. However, the vagueness of the security section raises concerns about the effectiveness of this approach. The EO also highlights the importance of attracting investment in American space markets, which could benefit both commercial and defense sectors.