Trump signs new national space transportation policy to develop more spaceports

On August 21, 2026, President Donald Trump signed a new national space transportation policy that calls for the development of additional spaceports to accommodate over 1,000 launches and reentries annually by 2030. This memorandum replaces a 2013 policy established by former President Barack Obama. Both policies aim to support the commercial space industry and emphasize the importance of reliable access to space. The launch sector has experienced significant growth, with 176 orbital launch attempts from U.S. soil in the previous year, compared to nearly 10 times fewer in 2013. SpaceX was the leading company, conducting 165 orbital launches of its Falcon 9 rocket and five suborbital test flights of its Starship. The new policy states, "By 2030, our space transportation ranges must grow to support more than 1,000 launches and reentries every year," asserting that these measures will help maintain America's leadership in space.