Elon Musk officially for president of the United States on July 13, 2024, shortly after Trump survived an assassination attempt. Musk, a billionaire technology entrepreneur, has made groundbreaking contributions in , particularly space travel and exploration.
Author
Svetla Ben-Itzhak
Assistant Professor of Space and International Relations, Johns Hopkins University
Even before Musk’s endorsement, Trump was reportedly considering giving the billionaire if elected for a second term. With Musk’s public support and , it now seems even more likely that Trump would offer him an official position in his administration.
As someone who studies , I am interested in how Musk might influence U.S. space policy if Trump wins in November. Their partnership could significantly shape the future of U.S. space exploration and defense, as well as shift the balance of power between the public and private sectors in space.
Current US space policy
A nation’s space policy reflects its vision and priorities for outer space. U.S. space policy – a mix of continuity from past administrations and recent directives – is outlined in key documents, including the , the , and other .
Current space policy emphasizes maintaining U.S. leadership in space, protecting U.S. space assets and working with commercial and international partners to promote safe, secure and responsible behavior in space. Its growing the American commercial space sector and returning astronauts to the Moon.
Musk’s company SpaceX has been , supporting both and the – the newest branch of the U.S. military – in their missions. SpaceX’s innovations, such as the reusable rockets, the satellite internet and the powerful , have access to and use of outer space.
many of the current U.S. space policy goals, some of which closely align with Musk’s own ambitions for space.
Space synergy: Trump’s and Musk’s shared ambitions
Trump and Musk agree on three main objectives in space.
First, both are committed to human expansion beyond Earth. Trump’s , signed on Dec. 11, 2017, set the U.S. on a course to return astronauts to the Moon and establish a permanent presence there, followed by human missions to Mars and beyond.
This directive aligns with Musk’s vision of , which is guiding the development of Starship: . Designed to , Starship will carry large payloads and be capable of deep space travel – including lunar landings and journeys to the red planet.
NASA’s , which originated from Trump’s Space Policy Directive 1, plans to return humans to the Moon . To achieve this goal, NASA in 2021 to develop the Starship Human Landing System spacecraft, which will transport astronauts and cargo from lunar orbit to the Moon’s surface and back.
Second, both Trump and Musk support commercial involvement in space. Trump’s Space Policy Directive 1 specifically calls for commercial and international partnerships, marking a . President Joe Biden this push to develop a robust commercial U.S. space sector.
This recognition of the pivotal role that private industries can play in space exploration aligns with Musk’s record as an entrepreneur and innovator. Under Musk, SpaceX has not only , but it has also driven innovation to new heights. The company has significantly of and made space more accessible to of space explorers.
Third, both favor deregulation. Trump’s administration sought to reduce regulatory barriers through directives like his , which aimed to streamline commercial space regulations to encourage faster growth and innovation in the private space industry.
Even so, Musk has often found existing . He has frequently – such as the which oversees launch and reentry requirements – and has called for “.”
Contrasting space visions: Musk vs. Trump
In terms of space priorities, Musk differs from Trump in three main aspects.
First, Musk is focused on the of making humanity a , starting with and there.
In contrast, Trump’s approach to space emphasized asserting U.S. leadership by achieving near-Earth and near-term milestones, like returning Americans to the Moon. Consequently, during his presidency, Trump prioritized the Artemis program and launched the to in space.
Second, while both value the private sector, Musk, through SpaceX, has pushed for and rapid iteration in space technology. SpaceX’s Falcon rockets have , significantly cutting spaceflight costs. SpaceX also achieved major milestones in commercial spaceflight, including becoming the to .
In contrast, to fund the Artemis program, Trump called for in NASA’s budget. This move emphasized investing in government-led programs to achieve space objectives.
Third, Musk appears more open to , even with his competitors. He famously stated that “,” arguing that they block innovation and . While Musk inventions, including , he has also expressed support for fostering innovation through openness and collaboration.
In contrast, Trump’s space policy focused on national security and strategic competition. The creation of the Space Force reflected Trump’s view of space as a contested, military domain where the U.S. must protect its assets and maintain a competitive advantage.
Musk’s likely impact on future US space policy
If Musk were to take on a larger, formal role in a second Trump administration, he would likely push for ambitious space missions and timelines. The initial focus would continue to be on the Artemis program and lunar settlements, with increased attention eventually shifting to human missions to Mars and beyond.
A Trump-Musk partnership would likely further advance the commercialization of space. Musk could advocate for more deregulation of space activities, potentially challenging existing safety and security standards. While Musk is also likely to push for cost reduction, innovation , it would be interesting to see how his efforts would fare against government bureaucracy.
Whether Musk would affect U.S. space policy regarding international competitors like China remains uncertain. Musk’s presence in a second Trump administration could, however, shed light on whether commercial space actors can help between countries in space.
Musk is not a politician. He is a visionary focused on the future of humanity. These qualities are also most likely to shape his impact on U.S. space policy.
Svetla Ben-Itzhak does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
