The National Space Policy

This December 9, 2020 memorandum establishes a comprehensive National Space Policy that supersedes the 2010 Obama-era policy (PPD-4). It directs federal agencies to promote commercial space industry growth, strengthen the domestic space industrial base, ensure assured access to space, develop space nuclear power, improve cybersecurity for space systems, and advance international cooperation. The policy sets specific goals including returning Americans to the Moon by 2024 with sustained presence by 2028, and eventual human missions to Mars, while emphasizing protection of space assets and deterrence of hostile interference.

Federal Register Open PDF 85 FR 81755

Impact dates

Dec 31, 2028
Achieve sustained presence on the Moon
Date TBD
First human landing on Mars
Date TBD
Senior officials report periodically to National Space Council on implementation progress
Dec 31, 2024
Land next American man and first American woman on the Moon

Key directives

Supersede PPD-4 (2010)
Designate senior agency officials for National Space Council implementation with periodic reporting
Launch US Government payloads on US-manufactured vehicles unless exempted
Develop threat/risk assessments for space domain effects on critical infrastructure (SecDef, DHS, DNI)
Maintain GPS free of direct user fees for peaceful civil uses
Develop national and international planetary protection guidelines (OSTP, NASA, Commerce)
Lead lunar landing program by 2024, sustained presence by 2028, Mars landing (NASA Administrator)
Continue ISS operations while developing commercial platforms for LEO transition
Identify and develop authorization processes for novel space activities beyond existing regulation (Commerce)
Develop space collision warning measures and common commercial operating guidelines (Commerce)
Conduct design/development of space nuclear systems (NASA, Defense)
Maintain infrastructure for space nuclear systems on full cost recovery (Energy)

Timeline

Immediate

Supersedes PPD-4 (June 29, 2010)
Agency heads must designate senior officials for National Space Council implementation

Near term (90d)

Senior officials to begin periodic reporting to National Space Council on implementation progress

Long term

Human lunar landing by 2024
Sustained lunar presence by 2028
First human Mars landing
Transition from ISS to commercial platforms
Development of space nuclear power and propulsion systems
Active debris removal evaluation and pursuit

Risks & tensions

Accelerated 2024 lunar deadline may strain technical and budgetary resources; truncated text suggests policy extends beyond visible content
Potential tension between promoting commercial space exports and preventing technology transfer to adversaries
Supply chain security mandate to eliminate dependence on foreign adversary suppliers may increase costs and disrupt existing contracts
Moon-to-Mars timeline ambitious relative to historical NASA program development cycles
Cybersecurity and spectrum protection mandates may conflict with streamlined regulatory goals for commercial sector