President Trump wants the US to carry out more than 1,000 space launches a year by 2030 and speed up sending robots and humans to Mars

Date:
Mon, 24 Aug 2026 01:05:00 +0000

Description:
Trump signs memo pushing America toward 1,000 annual space launches by 2030, boosting access to land and NASA's moon plans.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Trump wants US to up aims to launch over 1,000 spacecraft every year by 2030 Only 178 launches happened in 2025, mostly carried out by SpaceX Federal agencies must find new land for rocket launch sites A new presidential memorandum signed by Donald Trump sets an ambitious annual benchmark for American commercial space activity within the next four years.

The new National Space Transportation Policy wants government agencies to
work together so that the US hits over 1,000 spacecraft launches and returns per year by 2030. In 2025, there were only 178 of these missions, though that number is already ten times higher than it was back in 2013, and SpaceX was behind most of them. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:
Land, permits, and spectrum take priority The order replaces a national space policy that had been in place since 2013, when the previous framework was first adopted.

Within 90 days, several departments must scout available federal land that could host new sites for launching and landing spacecraft. You may like 'It's possible to meet these types of timelines': Trump signs executive orders for quantum computer to be built by 2028 Say hello to Elon Musk's mega new SpaceX facility Trump levies 100% tariffs against 'sensitive' drones

Approval processes for these facilities should move faster too, with environmental reviews and permits getting streamlined under the new rules.

Access to wireless spectrum, air traffic coordination and a stronger launch workforce are also named as priorities the government must address going forward. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Agencies have further been told to step back from any activity that might discourage or undercut private companies competing in the same space.

Export policies covering space technology will also be revisited
periodically, aimed at protecting American intellectual property while expanding sales abroad.

The policy also calls for regular federal reviews of launch range schedules, intended to make better use of limited windows nationwide. What to read next Elon Musk: 'At some point, Starlink will deliver a majority of the world's internet' but how? Amazon wants to launch over 5,000 satellites to build new mobile networks Quote of the day by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk: 'Are you prepared
to die? Then okay, you're a candidate' a reminder that the manned mission to Mars might be a deadly one

"This policy meets this moment of explosive growth and positions America to lead the next era of space," said Michael Kratsios, the White House's science and technology policy director.

Beyond Earth orbit, the memorandum pushes NASA toward landing American astronauts on the moon again before the end of 2028.

Early elements of a lunar base should follow two years later, alongside continued study of robotic and eventually human trips to Mars. A dominant player and lingering doubts Elon Musk's SpaceX remains the industry's clear leader, having carried out 170 missions last year that placed about 2,500 satellites into orbit.

Officials at the Federal Aviation Administration said back in May that the firm hopes to reach 10,000 flights annually within the next five years.

SpaceX has separately floated plans for roughly 1 million satellites designed to capture solar energy and feed power to AI data centers .

In addition to SpaceX, the U.S. will entertain requests from foreign
companies that want to launch from American soil.

These firms will be screened individually, weighing security risk, investment value and site availability.

NASA, on the other hand, has been asked to build a lunar logistics network that private companies could eventually use to reach the moon commercially.

Lawmakers, meanwhile, have kept urging NASA to stay focused on Artemis, its long-running lunar program that has already consumed billions in funding.

That pressure suggests the administration's push toward 1,000 annual launches could still meet real budgetary and political resistance in Congress. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/president-trump-wants-the-us-to-carry-out-more-t han-1-000-space-launches-a-year-by-2030-and-speed-up-sending-robots-and-humans -to-mars


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