White House Order Underlines Space Force’s Counterspace Mission

A new White House new executive order, “Ensuring American Space Superiority,” emphasizes space security as a high priority for President Donald Trump and underlines the Space Force’s role in not only defending U.S. assets, but also in the attack mission.  

The Dec. 18 order casts what the Trump administration calls its vision for an “America First space policy,” setting a 2028 deadline for NASA astronauts to return to the Moon, calling for U.S. space agencies to embrace technologies like nuclear propulsion, and pledging to attract at least $50 billion in additional investment to U.S. space markets over the next two years. The document’s release coincided with the long-awaited confirmation of NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and the Pentagon’s Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy Mark Berkowitz. 

Amid its emphasis on space exploration, scientific achievements, and economic progress, the document also includes a vision for security that recognizes the Space Force’s space superiority mission as key to U.S. interests in the domain.  

“Superiority in space is a measure of national vision and willpower, and the technologies Americans develop to achieve it contribute substantially to the Nation’s strength, security, and prosperity,” the order states. “The United States must therefore pursue a space policy that will extend the reach of human discovery, secure the Nation’s vital economic and security interests, unleash commercial development, and lay the foundation for a new space age.” 

Charles Galbreath, senior resident fellow for space studies at AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, said that when it comes to national security space, the order is consistent with messaging from the Space Force and U.S. Space Command in recent years.  

“The threats are growing,” he told Air & Space Forces Magazine. “We’re developing systems to not only detect, track, characterize, identify, and potentially attribute hostile actions or irresponsible acts, but also to directly counter. That’s the new part—openly calling out the need to have the ability to counter those threats.” 

Language about countering threats in space appears multiple times in the order. One section states that detecting, characterizing, and countering threats to U.S. space systems is a top priority for the administration. In another part of the document, the order reiterates the administration’s goal to demonstrate advanced missile defense prototypes through Golden Dome by 2028. Galbreath noted that the specific mention of missile defense systems here versus warning or tracking technology is likely a reference to interceptors, which can disable enemy missiles from the ground or from space.

Another section directs DOD to work with the Director of National Intelligence, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology to develop and implement a space security strategy that addresses threats to U.S. capabilities. It also specifically directs the agencies to craft a technology plan for “countering potential placement of nuclear weapons in space”—a possible nod to Russia’s development of such a capability.  

The revelation in 2024 that Russia is developing a nuclear weapon that could be launched into space is part of a growing list of concerning advancements from U.S. adversaries. Over the last year, several Space Force officials have publicly described what they call “satellite dogfighting” maneuvers involving Chinese satellites practicing tactics and techniques near U.S. assets.  

Rapid Implementation

Along with its emphasis on countering aggressive moves by U.S. adversaries, the document includes several deadlines for the Pentagon to deliver various strategies and plans. Within three months, DOD, DNI, and the White House must coordinate a report on technology, supply chain, and industrial capacity gaps as well as a mitigation plan to address them within existing funding constraints. 

The space security strategy is due in the next six months, and so is a corresponding plan for a “responsive and adaptive national security space architecture” to support that strategy. The order also calls for DOD to work with the State Department to craft a plan within the next six months to strengthen contributions from allies and partners.  

These deadlines, Galbreath said, indicate the administration wants to move fast to put its vision into action. 

“The implementation is going to be over the remaining years of the administration, but the plans need to come out quickly,” he said. “It will be interesting if we’re able to put our money where our mouth is on some of these, because many of these initiatives, to succeed, will require additional funding.” 

Nuclear Propulsion

Among the technology initiatives referenced in Trump’s order is a push for the U.S. to embrace nuclear power in space. The document names space nuclear propulsion as a key priority and commits to having a nuclear reactor ready to launch as part of a lunar mission by 2030.  

The memo also directs the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology to issue guidance within 60 days on establishing a “National Initiative for American Space Nuclear Power.”  

The order’s imperative for the U.S. to leverage space nuclear power is notable, Galbreath said. Thermal and electric nuclear propulsion system technology could offer a solution to the DOD’s satellite mobility needs as Space Command pushes for more maneuverable spacecraft. 

The Defense Department has pursued several space nuclear power projects with varying success. A Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency effort to develop a nuclear thermal spacecraft engine through the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations, or DRACO, was cut short earlier this year. A separate Air Force Research Laboratory program—Joint Emergent Technology Supplying On-orbit Nuclear Power, or JETSON—is focused on nuclear electric propulsion for space applications.