ARTICLE · 30 DECEMBER 2025

Trump Administration Refocuses On Space In New Executive Order

Wiley Rein

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On December 18, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO), "Ensuring American Space Superiority," that seeks to establish "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."

United StatesGovernment, Public Sector

Jennifer D. Hindin

Kara M. Sacilotto

WHAT: On December 18, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO), " Ensuring American Space Superiority," that seeks to establish "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." Among other things, the EO directs NASA and the Department of Commerce to undertake acquisition reforms emphasizing commercial solutions and streamlined contracting, establishes core priorities and milestones, directs the Secretary of Commerce to coordinate spectrum leadership efforts, and requires NASA and the State Department to ensure that international civil space cooperation arrangements support the Administration's policy priorities. It also shifts U.S. policy away from free access models for space situational awareness (SSA) data and basic Space Traffic Management (STM) services, effectively disbands the National Space Council, and elevates the

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