US President-elect Donald Trump is set to embark on an ambitious space agenda alongside billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, with plans including the first human footprints on Mars. However, analysts warn that many of these aspirations may not be cemented into official US space policy, leaving it uncertain whether Trump’s vision will become a reality.
Trump has been a strong supporter of space exploration during his first term and made significant changes to the US space program, including creating the Space Force as the country’s new military service. He also revived the National Space Council for the first time since 1993.
Musk, who is set to meet with Trump in January, is believed to have played a key role in shaping the president-elect’s views on space. The two are planning to write the next chapter in US spaceflight history, but it remains to be seen whether their ambitious agenda will be implemented.
Analysts warn that any significant changes to the space policy may face opposition from Congress, which requires a 60-vote threshold for major decisions. The incoming administration is also considering alternatives such as moving NASA headquarters to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Jared Isaacman, who has been nominated to lead NASA, will be key to implementing Trump’s space agenda. As administrator, he will need to build consensus with Congress and manage relationships with international partners and private contractors.
The Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the moon by 2027, is expected to remain a priority for the new administration. However, some experts believe that any major changes to the program’s direction may be slow to come or not implemented at all.
As Trump prepares to take office, one thing is clear: the future of US space exploration will be shaped by his vision and leadership.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/jan/17/trump-musk-space-plans