Space Policy – Spaceflight Now

Trump calls for establishment of U.S. “space force”

June 18, 2018

Catching observers off guard, President Trump, in remarks before a National Space Council Meeting at the White House Monday, officially directed to Pentagon to establish a sixth branch of the military, a “space force,” to ensure American dominance on the high frontier.

Robert Lightfoot, NASA’s longest-serving interim administrator, to retire

March 12, 2018

NASA Acting Administrator Robert Lightfoot, a rocket propulsion engineer and career civil servant who has led the space agency since the beginning of the Trump administration, said Monday he will retire from the space agency at the end of April.

White House emphasizes industry over science in Space Council appointments

February 21, 2018

A roster of representatives from the commercial space industry, astronauts, retired military officers and politicians will advise the National Space Council as the top-level government panel seeks to reshape U.S. space policy, regulations and exploration strategies.

President Trump makes moon missions NASA’s near-term goal

December 11, 2017

In a brief White House ceremony Monday, President Trump formally directed NASA to set its sights on sending astronauts back to the moon followed by eventual flights to Mars as part of a new national space policy intended to make sure America “once again leads and inspires all of humanity” on the high frontier.

Pence calls for a return to the moon as a stepping stone to Mars

October 5, 2017

Vice President Mike Pence, chairing a revived National Space Council, said Thursday the United States will once again send astronauts to the moon, using Earth’s satellite as a critical stepping stone for eventual flights to Mars, and vowing to beef up national security space assets to counter rapidly escalating threats from adversaries.

White House taps Bridenstine to head NASA

September 9, 2017

President Trump plans to nominate Rep. Jim Bridenstine, an Oklahoma Republican who has championed commercial spaceflight and a return to the moon, to be the next NASA administrator after months of speculation.

Pence vows to renew American space leadership

July 6, 2017

Vice President Mike Pence, chairman of the recently re-established National Space Council, toured the Kennedy Space Center Thursday and vowed to renew American leadership on the high frontier, telling spaceport workers “our nation will return to the moon, and we will put American boots on the face of Mars.”

Watch live: Vice President Pence visits Kennedy Space Center

July 6, 2017

Vice President Mike Pence is visiting NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, where he is expected to give remarks inside the Vehicle Assembly Building and tour the spaceport.

Trump signs order reviving long-dormant National Space Council

June 30, 2017

Emphasizing commercial, technological and national security opportunities in space, President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday re-establishing the National Space Council, a space policy advisory and steering group that was last active nearly 25 years ago.