THE WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SPACE COUNCIL 7/23/2020
“Beginning with missions beyond low-Earth orbit, the United States will lead the return of humans to the Moon for long-term exploration and utilization, followed by human missions to Mars and other destinations.â€
-President Donald J. Trump
Introduction
At the sixth meeting of the National Space Council on August 20, 2019, the Council adopted a set of recommendations, including a recommendation that directed the National Space Council staff, in consultation with National Space Council members and the Users’ Advisory Group, to present to the Chairman of the National Space Council a Moon-Mars Development Strategy. This strategy was to include low-Earth orbit commercialization, robotic and human exploration, national security capabilities, and international cooperation for science, safety, security, and economic growth.The strategy delineated in this paper supports an ambitious vision for human space exploration and development. This vision is one in which there is a sustainable human and robotic presence across the solar system —an expanding sphere of commercial, non-governmental activities in which increasing numbers of Americans live and work in space. This vision begins with a campaign to utilize Earth’s orbital environment, the surface and resources of the Moon, and cis-lunar space to develop the critical technologies, operational capabilities, and commercial space economy necessary for a sustainable human presence on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.U.S. space exploration efforts impact and aid multiple national interests, including the economy, national security, scientific advances, and diplomacy. The landscape has changed drastically since the early beginnings of the Space Age. Current space exploration efforts involve a greater number of nations and private sector actors, and as a result, the nature of leadership in space has evolved. The challenge in this new era is not simply to achieve what others cannot but to provide opportunities for others to partner with us. Although NASA is, and will remain, the primary United States Government entity for civil space exploration efforts, other departments and agencies have increasingly important roles to play in space.
The American way of life is reliant on space activities—and we truly are a space faring Nation.However, space is not subject to claims of sovereignty or other traditional means of protecting national interests in a shared domain. As a result, the United States will lead our allies and other like-minded nations, while dissuading adversaries, in order to preserve and advance U.S. national interests in space. In doing so, United States Government space efforts will include commercial and international partners in the development and exploration of space. Space development, including industrial-scale commercial activities, cannot be accomplished by the government alone. An internationally competitive U.S. commercial space sector is a foundational requirement for U.S. space leadership. Although government resources are necessary to establish space exploration beyond low-Earth orbit, its long-term sustainability is unlikely without the efficiencies and innovation of the private sector. As a result, the government will continue efforts to reform, streamline, and eliminate unnecessary regulatory burdens that may hinder U.S. space commerce in order to ensure that American companies can effectively compete in the global marketplace.
To execute this vision requires a secure international environment that is conducive to U.S. commercial growth. The United States Space Force (USSF) does not have a direct role in the civil exploration and development of space per se –its responsibilities focus on organizing, training, and equipping the forces needed to support combatant commands and ensure unfettered access to and the use of space by the United States and its allies and partners. However, activities such as space transportation and logistics, power, communication, navigation, and space domain awareness, are of dual-use value to all space sectors –civil, national security,and commercial. The development of civil and commercial best practices can lead to norms of responsible behavior that improve international stability and transparency for all space activities. The important supporting roles of the Departments of State, Defense, Commerce,Transportation, Energy,and Homeland Security in space exploration and development are among the major reasons the United States takes a whole-of-government approach to its space activities.
More:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/A-New-Era-for-Space-Exploration-and-Development-07-23-2020.pdf
