Trump Issues “American Declaration of Freedom in Space”

President Trump issued a space proclamation yesterday. “The American Declaration of Freedom in Space” pledges that the United States will lead the exploration, development, use, and settlement of new frontiers throughout the solar system and beyond.

The timing of the proclamation, as Americans were busy casting their votes in the midterm elections, seems unusual but perhaps is related to NASA’s upcoming MAX POWER event this weekend at Kennedy Space Center.

The agency describes MAX POWER as an “aerospace technology expo and air show.”  Over the course of two days, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and others will conduct flyovers on NASA aircraft and the public can learn what NASA is doing in aviation and space. NASA’s Artemis program to return astronauts to the Moon and build a Moon Base is a major theme and four of the five Artemis III crew members will be there along with the two NASA astronauts from Crew-12 (Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway).

Trump’s proclamation goes way beyond the Moon, however, even beyond Mars.

“It is America’s destiny to explore and expand our frontiers beyond Earth to the farthest depths of space.  Today, my Administration reaffirms that our solar system and all of outer space beyond Earth are the province of all humans, and that our Nation will lead the way in the exploration, development, use, and settlement of these new frontiers — forging an interplanetary civilization founded on the enduring and inalienable rights of freedom and individual liberty.  …

“NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim that the solar system and all of outer space beyond Earth are the province of all humans and are open to exploration, development, use, and the establishment of a permanent presence by American citizens consistent with United States law and the international obligations of the United States.”

NASA did not issue its own press release, but a NASA spokesperson told SpacePolicyOnline.com that the agency is ready to turn that “vision into reality.”

“President Donald J. Trump’s Declaration of Freedom in Space speaks to the explorer in all of us, and NASA is committed to turning his vision into reality. Through the Artemis III mission in 2027, humanity’s return to the lunar surface in 2028, and establishing the first Moon Base, we will use Earth’s nearest neighbor as an outpost of discovery, innovation, and a path to sending the first astronauts – Americans – to Mars. NASA will fulfill our nation’s destiny to explore and expand our frontiers off our home planet for the benefit of all.” — NASA

The proclamation is just that, a proclamation.  It doesn’t provide direction or funding, but only asserts U.S. aspirations for the very long-term future.

Scott Pace, Director of George Washington University’s Space Policy Institute and Executive Secretary of the National Space Council  in Trump’s first term, told SpacePolicyOnline.com that “saying space is the province of all humans is fully consistent with international space law, particularly the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. The term does not mean that space is a global commons in a legal sense. That position is consistent with past Executive Orders and views of the State Department in multiple Administrations.”