Trump Signs Order Targeting 1,000 Annual Space Launches and Re-entries by 2030
The directive also sets a goal of returning American astronauts to the Moon by 2028 and expands commercial space activity.
Washington1 min read
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President Donald Trump signed an order directing the United States to achieve at least 1,000 space launches and re-entries annually by 2030. The measure underscores a push for a more commercially driven space programme.
The order also calls for American astronauts to return to the Moon by 2028. It aims to accelerate private sector involvement in orbital activity and lunar missions.
Commercial companies already handle a growing share of launches. Raising the annual target to 1,000 would require substantial growth in both government and private capacity, including reusable vehicles and expanded range infrastructure.
The directive forms part of a broader administration focus on space as a domain of economic opportunity and national capability. It builds on existing NASA and commercial partnerships while setting numerical benchmarks for frequency of operations.
Achieving the launch cadence would place additional demands on regulatory processes, airspace coordination and safety systems. The 2028 lunar goal aligns with ongoing Artemis programme timelines but compresses the schedule relative to some earlier projections.
Industry groups have welcomed the emphasis on commercial scale. The order leaves open questions about funding mechanisms and the division of roles between federal agencies and private operators.
