Space policy of the United States

The space policy of the United States includes the making of space policy through the legislative process and the implementation of that policy in the U.S. civilian and military space programs through regulatory agencies. The early history of U.S. space policy is linked to the U.S.–Soviet Space Race of the 1960s, which gave way to the Space Shuttle program. This period was very exciting as the two countries raced to achieve new milestones in space.

As of 2025, US space policy is aimed at the exploration of the Moon and the subsequent colonization of Mars. These goals reflect a continuing interest in learning more about our place in the solar system and preparing for future journeys beyond Earth. The United States has played a major role in shaping space exploration and continues to work with partners around the world to reach new frontiers.

Space policy process

In the United States, space policy starts when the president, through the executive branch, creates plans for space exploration and sends them to Congress for approval and funding.

Groups that support space exploration, like the Space Science Institute, Space Force Association, and National Space Society, can give advice and share their ideas with the government. When making space plans, the president talks with NASA for civilian projects and the Department of Defense for military projects. The president also works with groups like the National Security Council and the Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Congress reviews these plans to make sure they are good ideas and to decide how much money to spend. Committees in Congress watch over how NASA and the military carry out these plans. Sometimes, they look closely at big projects like the Apollo program.

For civilian space work, NASA has always been in charge, but now more work is done by private companies with NASA's help. The Department of Commerce also runs some space services. The military space work is handled by the United States Space Force and United States Space Command.

Anyone wanting to launch a rocket or operate a space site in the United States needs a license from the Secretary of Transportation. The FAA and other groups make sure these rules are followed.

Space programs in the budget

Further information: Budget of NASA

The United States decides how much money to spend on space programs through its federal budget. In 2011, during the Obama administration, the budget for research and development looked like this:

1. Defense – $78.0B (52.7%)
2. NIH – $32.2B (21.7%)
3. Energy – $11.2B (7.56%)
4. NASA – $11.0B (7.43%)
5. NSF – $5.5B (3.71%)
6. Agriculture – $2.1B (1.42%)
7. Homeland Security—$1.0B (0.68%)
8. Other — $6.6B (4.79%)

In 2020, NASA received $22.6 billion, which was about 0.5% of the total federal budget. This amount has stayed close to 0.5% since 2011. Earlier, around 1993, NASA's funding was about 1% of the budget, and even higher during the Space Race when it reached nearly 4% in 1966. Some people argue that money should go to other important areas instead.

International law

Further information: Space law

The United States has joined four important agreements about space made by the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. These agreements are the Outer Space Treaty, Rescue Agreement, Space Liability Convention, and the Registration Convention. The United States has not joined the Moon Treaty.

These agreements make sure that no single country can own space or use it for harmful weapons. They also say that all countries can explore space together and that countries must help astronauts in trouble. If something from space causes damage on Earth, the country that launched it is responsible. Countries must also tell others when they send something into space. The Moon Treaty would change some rules about owning parts of space, but it hasn’t been agreed to by any country that sends people to space, so it isn’t very important in space law.

History

Truman administration

After World War II, President Harry S. Truman started a secret program called Operation Paperclip. This brought over 1,600 German scientists and engineers, including Wernher von Braun and his team, to the United States. They helped the U.S. gain an advantage in the competition with the Soviet Union, known as the Cold War. Von Braun supported space travel and wanted to build a special space station, though he didn’t talk about its military use.

Truman also set up a testing site at Cape Canaveral, which later became the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. From 1949, the U.S. used this place to test missiles. In 1951, the Air Force created a center there for missile tests. Scientists also began using special rockets for research in physics, weather, and other areas.

Eisenhower administration

In 1956, the U.S. Air Force began a program for satellites, but President Dwight D. Eisenhower was careful because of concerns about spying. He supported satellite technology for both military and commercial uses but was cautious about competing in space.

Eisenhower started Project Vanguard for scientific satellites linked to an international science event. When the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 in 1957, Eisenhower created a new agency called the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to develop advanced military technology.

Later, Congress created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1958. Eisenhower named T. Keith Glennan as its first leader.

Kennedy administration

Early in his presidency, John F. Kennedy thought about stopping the Apollo program, but after Yuri Gagarin became the first person in space, Kennedy decided the U.S. should land a person on the Moon by the end of the 1960s. This was to show American strength and keep up with the Soviet Union.

Johnson administration

President Lyndon B. Johnson supported space efforts strongly. However, the high cost of the Vietnam War and other programs led to cuts in NASA’s budget. In 1967, Johnson helped create the Outer Space Treaty, which stopped countries from putting nuclear weapons in space or claiming space as their own.

Nixon administration

Apollo 11, the first Moon landing, happened early in Richard Nixon’s time as president. Nixon started the Space Shuttle program but did not fund other big plans like landing on Mars or building a space station.

Ford administration

During Gerald Ford’s short time as president, NASA got a little more money, and the Apollo–Soyuz Test Project happened. The Shuttle program continued, and a new office for science and technology policy was created.

Carter administration

The Jimmy Carter administration didn’t focus much on space. They thought big space programs weren’t necessary and only set short-term goals.

Reagan administration

The first Space Shuttle flight happened early in Ronald Reagan’s presidency. Reagan wanted more space activity, including building a space station and new military plans. However, many of these ideas weren’t finished as planned.

George H. W. Bush administration

President George H. W. Bush announced big plans for space, including settling the Moon and sending people to Mars. These plans were very expensive and faced many challenges.

Clinton administration

During the Clinton administration, Space Shuttle flights continued, and work began on the International Space Station.

George W. Bush administration

The Space Shuttle Columbia disaster happened early in George W. Bush’s time as president. In response, Bush announced the Vision for Space Exploration in 2004. This plan aimed to send people back to the Moon and eventually to Mars. It also included new rockets and spacecraft like the Orion spacecraft and the Ares rockets.

Obama administration

President Barack Obama reviewed U.S. space plans and decided to cancel some existing programs. Instead, he promised new funding and plans for a big rocket to send people to Mars in the 2030s. He also changed some space policies to work better with other countries.

First Trump administration

In 2017, President Donald Trump re-established the National Space Council. Later that year, he signed a policy to send Americans back to the Moon and eventually to Mars. He also supported the United States Space Force, which officially started in 2019.

Biden administration

President Joe Biden supports the Artemis program, which aims to land the first woman and another person on the Moon. In 2024, the planned Moon landing was delayed to 2027. Biden also supports the United States Space Force and wants to invest in satellites to study climate change and in science education.

Second Trump administration

In 2025, President Donald Trump signed orders to build new missile defense systems and to make it easier for private companies to launch rockets. His budget for 2026 focuses on sending people to the Moon and Mars but proposes cutting NASA’s budget.