Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Trump Sets Goal Of 1,000 Annual US Space Launches
President Donald Trump wants the United States to launch and bring back spacecraft more than 1,000 times each year by 2030.
The launches would happen from American soil.
The plan asks government agencies and private companies to build more space facilities together.
It also asks agencies to approve launch projects more quickly.
NASA would help private companies travel to the Moon and send robots to Mars.
The administration says this would make space transportation cheaper and more reliable.
Officials also say the plan could create aerospace jobs and improve services such as internet access and weather forecasting.
They describe the effort as a way to protect American space capabilities while competing with other countries.
President Donald Trump ordered a drive for more than 1,000 US space launches and reentries annually by 2030.
A National Security Presidential Memorandum promotes an “America First” space transportation policy focused on reliable, affordable access.
Federal agencies are instructed to work with private companies, accelerate permitting and environmental reviews, and identify new launch sites.
NASA is directed to support commercial transportation to the Moon, robotic access to Mars, and possible private human missions to Mars.
The administration says expanded space activity will strengthen national security, create aerospace jobs, and support services including broadband and weather forecasting.
- Who
- President Donald Trump, federal agencies, NASA, and private space companies are involved.
- What
- Trump signed a memorandum seeking more than 1,000 US space launches and reentries annually by 2030.
- When
- The target is for 2030; the memorandum’s signing date is not specified.
- Where
- The launches and reentries are intended to take place from American soil.
- Why
- The administration says the plan will expand the commercial space economy, strengthen national security, lower costs, create jobs, and respond to challenges from US adversaries.
- Annual target
- More than 1,000 launches and reentries from US soil each year
- Deadline
- 2030
- Policy
- A National Security Presidential Memorandum establishing an “America First” space transportation approach
- Infrastructure
- Agencies will work with private partners to develop launch and reentry facilities
- Regulation
- Federal agencies are directed to speed permitting and environmental reviews
- Lunar and Mars missions
- NASA will facilitate commercial lunar transportation and support robotic Mars access
- Stated benefits
- Potential aerospace jobs, lower space-system costs, broadband access, improved weather forecasting, and safer air travel