Will Trump usher in a golden age for space?
Under Trump, space could become an engine for economic growth, military strength, and national prestige.
In Payload, Bogdan Gogulan explains why, love him or loathe him, Donald Trump is good news for commercial space operators – but there are challenges to overcome:
‘Trump is expected to slash red tape, fast-track approvals, and create incentives for private players to operate freely in space. This means a surge in satellite communications, EO, space tourism, in-orbit manufacturing, and scientific research.
… The bottom line? Under Trump, space will become an engine for economic growth, military strength, and national prestige. There will be an expansion in technology related to Martian expeditions, defence, and commercial spaceflight. Big private companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Rocket Lab will benefit, as well as leaner, more efficient, more focused companies, which will challenge ‘old space’ companies like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman.
Investors, however, should also take note of potential hurdles: trade disruptions, geopolitical tensions, and shifts in NASA’s budget, which may have knock-on effects for certain sectors. We’re beginning a new chapter in the story of space, one where political will and private industry will align in ways not seen since the Cold War.’
In a report for The Telegraph, Matthew Field reports on the ‘British entrepreneur helping to break Europe’s reliance on Musk’:
‘Phillip Chambers, chief executive of space start-up Orbex, believes Europe could begin to loosen Musk’s grip over the space industry and end its over-reliance on America for access to the stars.
Orbex, which last month received £20m from the British taxpayer for its maiden mission, is hoping to reach space with its Prime rocket later this year.
Prime would be the first British-made rocket to to reach orbit since Black Arrow, which last flew in 1971 from a launch site in the Australian outback. Unlike Black Arrow, Orbex is hoping to use a launch site in the United Kingdom. SaxaVord Spaceport on the Shetland Islands will host its first mission.
Chambers, who leads Orbex, says Britain’s ability to reach space should not be “taken for granted”, adding: “We’re in a world where we can’t depend on the US for everything any more.”’
After SPACETalks, hosted by the European Space Agency, Hammad Khan reflects on a landmark event:
‘The event was packed with thought-provoking discussions, visionary speakers, and game-changing insights. Some standout moments from this year:
Nick Appleyard reminded us of the power of pursuing our own visions for the collective good.
Steve O'Brien delivered a fascinating take on AI and our ‘decision-making deficit’, definitely some food for thought.
Nayen Pankhania shed light on the hurdles startups face and how Satellite Applications Catapult is playing a role in reshaping industry support.
Harry Readhead gave us a wake-up call on adjusting our communication styles, a crucial skill in this fast-evolving sector.
A brilliant fireside chat with Dr. Robert Brüll, Felix von Schubert, Andres Catelo Garcia and George Ye on fortifying our critical infrastructure in space… more of these conversations, please!
Mark Drinkwater shared exciting insights into the future mission landscape, big things ahead.
Mariam H. Fardous’s journey to becoming an astronaut was nothing short of inspiring, a beacon of perseverance and ambition.
Discussions on robotics and autonomous in-orbit servicing highlighted the rapid advancements in space tech, looking forward to seeing this momentum continue at the ISAM conference in Belfast this June.
… With the space market projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035, the opportunities for startups, scale-ups, and industry pioneers have never been greater.’
In Space News, Andrew Jones reports that South Korea is moving forward with its plans to become one of the world’s ‘top five space powers’:
‘The Korea AeroSpace Administration’s (KASA) strategic plans for the sectors of space transportation, satellites, and space science exploration were approved by the third National Space Council held Feb. 25
“Flagship projects” for these strategies include reusable launch vehicles and orbital transfer vehicles, ultra-high-resolution satellites and very-low Earth orbit (VLEO) satellites with multi-layered orbital navigation systems, and a space observatory to be sent to the Sun-Earth L4 Lagrange point—a region of space yet to be visited—and lunar landers.
These strategies are aimed at KASA achieving the goal of becoming one of the five major space powers and realizing the national space development vision outlined in the “The fourth Master Plan for Promotion of Space Development” (2023-2027).’
Also in Space News, Rick Liebling argues that Elon Musk and Donald Trump make ‘exaggerated or outright false claims’, adding that independent space companies must ‘adopt more aggressive and unconventional strategies’ to shape the narrative:
‘The space industry thrives on precision, innovation and scientific rigor. But in today’s media landscape, facts often take a backseat to spectacle. Two of the loudest voices in the space sector — Elon Musk and Donald Trump — garner an inordinate amount of media coverage and wield massive platforms of their own to shape narratives, often making exaggerated or outright false claims. This allows them to not only push their own agendas, but to turn public sentiment against their rivals whether they be political or commercial. One need only look at their recent comments regarding the ISS and accusation of “abandoned astronauts” for an example of how this can play out. For independent space companies, this presents a serious challenge: how do you counter misinformation when your adversaries dominate the media cycle and don’t play fair?
… Now is an opportune time to reconsider the potential of using space-based interceptors to destroy missiles during their most vulnerable boost phase. As space increasingly becomes a recognized domain for military operations, resistance to deploying defensive weapons in space is fading — especially when such systems can help promote crisis stability and enhance security. Furthermore, the deployment of dual-use rendezvous spacecraft by the United States, China, Russia and other countries is effectively transforming space into a weaponized domain.
Musk and Trump have transformed space discourse into a spectacle, but independent companies can’t afford to let misinformation shape public policy, investment, or public trust. To compete, they must embrace bold, disruptive tactics — because in the battle for public perception, playing by the old rules is no longer an option.’
And Sky News reports that the second-ever privately funded space craft has touched down on the moon:
‘Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander has successfully touched down on the moon, in a pivotal moment for private space travel.
The size of a compact car, the four-legged lander is carrying 10 scientific payloads and used 21 thrusters to guide itself to touchdown near an ancient volcanic vent on Mare Crisium, a large basin in the northeast corner of the moon's Earth-facing side.
It has on board a vacuum to suck up moon dirt for analysis and a drill to measure temperatures as deep as 10 feet. Also on board is a device for eliminating abrasive lunar dust - a scourge for NASA's long-ago Apollo moon walkers, who got it caked all over their spacesuits and equipment.’
And finally, in Glamour, Emily Tannenbaum reports that Katy Perry will be part of an all-woman private space mission on Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin:
‘On February 27, Blue Origin announced an all-female crew for its private NS-31 mission to space, in what appears to be an effort to promote space tourism. The group of six women, including Katy Perry and Gayle King, was organized by the vice chair of the Bezos Earth Fund, Lauren Sanchez, an Emmy Award–winning journalist and aerial filmmaker who is currently engaged to Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos.
According to Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Bezos, its New Shephard program has already flown 52 people “above the Kármán line," which is 62 miles above Earth and considered the internationally recognized boundary of space. What do we know about this mission and the women on board?
…Sanchez’s crew includes famous journalist Gayle King and pop star Katy Perry, as well as former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, bioastronautics research scientist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn. “I’m so afraid, but I’m also so excited,” King said while announcing the her trip on CBS Mornings, revealing that “the crew” already created a group chat.’