Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
Executive Order 14335 promotes competition among commercial space companies and reduces regulatory barriers for the space industry. The order aims to streamline licensing and approval processes for private space ventures. This affects American aerospace companies, satellite operators, and emerging space businesses by potentially accelerating commercial space activities and reducing compliance costs.
On September 4, 2020, the Trump administration signed a memorandum establishing cybersecurity principles and standards for U.S. space systems and infrastructure. The directive requires federal agencies and contractors developing space systems to implement specified security practices and report on compliance. The order affects how civilian and military space programs implement cybersecurity controls for satellites, ground stations, and related systems used by federal agencies and private contractors.
On April 6, 2020, President Trump signed Executive Order 13914 directing federal agencies to encourage international support for the recovery and use of space resources. The order established U.S. policy to promote private and public space resource utilization and to negotiate international agreements that recognize the right to extract and use resources from celestial bodies. The order directly affects American space companies by clarifying U.S. government support for their resource extraction activities in space.
On February 13, 2020, President Trump signed Executive Order 13906, which amended Executive Order 13803 to revive and reinvigorate the National Space Council. The order reestablished the council as a formal body to coordinate space policy across federal agencies and the private sector. The direct effect was the restoration of an interagency council structure to advise the President on space exploration, commercial space activities, and national space policy implementation.
On February 25, 2019, President Trump signed legislation establishing the United States Space Force as a new independent military branch under the Department of the Air Force. The Space Force became the first new military service branch created since the Air Force in 1947, with responsibility for organizing, training, and equipping space forces. The action created approximately 8,400 active duty positions and established a separate command structure for military space operations.
On December 18, 2018, President Trump signed a memorandum establishing United States Space Command (SPACECOM) as a unified combatant command under the Department of Defense. The action elevated space operations to a separate command structure reporting directly to the Secretary of Defense, distinct from U.S. Strategic Command. SPACECOM became operational on December 20, 2019, creating a dedicated military command responsible for space operations, satellite communications, and space defense for the U.S. armed forces.
On June 18, 2018, the Trump administration established a National Space Traffic Management Policy (Document 2018-13521) to coordinate management of space objects and orbital activities. The policy designates the Department of Commerce as the lead civilian agency for space traffic coordination, replacing previous ad-hoc coordination mechanisms. The policy directly affects American space companies, satellite operators, and federal agencies by establishing new licensing and coordination requirements for commercial space activities.
On May 24, 2018, President Trump signed Executive Order 13825 directing federal agencies to streamline regulations governing commercial space activities and licensing. The order instructed the Department of Commerce and other agencies to reduce regulatory burdens on commercial space companies, including those engaged in satellite launches, space stations, and lunar activities. The confirmed effect was expedited licensing timelines for commercial space ventures and reduced compliance requirements for private space companies seeking federal authorization.
President Trump signed Space Policy Directive 1 on December 11, 2017, directing NASA to prioritize human lunar exploration as a stepping stone to Mars, and to refocus the International Space Station as a government and commercial facility. The directive reoriented federal space policy toward lunar missions and established a timeline for human return to the Moon, with confirmed effects including NASA budget allocation shifts toward lunar programs and changes to ISS operational planning.
On October 25, 2017, the Trump administration signed Memorandum 2017-23746 establishing a pilot program to accelerate integration of unmanned aircraft systems (drones) into the national airspace. The memorandum directed the Department of Transportation to expedite testing and approval of commercial drone operations beyond visual line of sight and over populated areas. The confirmed direct effect was acceleration of regulatory pathways for commercial drone testing by private companies, reducing federal approval timelines for expanded UAS operations.