Trump's Space Policy Calls for New Spaceport on Federal Land

President Donald Trump signed a new national space transportation policy on Thursday, which calls for the development of additional spaceports. The objective is to support more than 1,000 launches and reentries from space each year by 2030.

The new policy replaces a 2013 policy signed by former President Barack Obama. Both policies emphasize supporting the commercial space industry and ensuring access to space. However, the launch sector has significantly changed since 2013. Last year, there were 176 orbital launch attempts from U.S. soil, nearly ten times the number recorded in 2013. SpaceX led the sector with 165 launches of its Falcon 9 rocket.

"By 2030, our space transportation ranges must grow to support more than 1,000 launches and reentries every year," the policy states. "The policies set forth in this memorandum will secure America's continued superiority in space."

Specific details regarding the policy, including the location of a new spaceport on federal land, have not yet been disclosed. The initiative aims to build infrastructure capable of accommodating the growing demand for space activities.